A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the judicial center on Friday.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a young boy.
Ruben was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge Ruben had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the authorities a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
