Person admits sex offences involving boys at summer camp
An individual who spiked candy with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She said Ruben then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five minors.
