An individual who laced treats with tranquilliser and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his stepson had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the law enforcement a second time.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five youngsters.
