A person who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the individual's items."
The prosecutor explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the police again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five children.
