A man who laced sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer program in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.
