A person who contaminated candy with sedative and provided them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said Ruben had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson contacted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then played the "candy game" in a space of five children.
