A man who laced candy with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
Ruben was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the court.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant continued to engage in the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative stated the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five youngsters.
