A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five children.
