A man who laced sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had concerns in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his stepchild had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
