An individual who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
Ruben engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepchild had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
The prosecutor explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then played the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
