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An individual who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.

The defendant was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on Friday.

Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on 28 November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, presenting evidence, described Ruben's offending to the judicial body.

She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.

Ruben conducted a "candy game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She explained Ruben had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.

Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.

"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."

The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the authorities about his suspicions.

She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all sick the subsequent day.

"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she stated further.

The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police again.

She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a area of five children.