Person pleads guilty to sex offences involving children at summer program
A man who contaminated sweets with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained Ruben went on to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "treat game" in a area of five children.
