A man who contaminated treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities again.
She said the man then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
