A person who contaminated treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer camp which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the defendant continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson notified the law enforcement a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
