An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings Ruben had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were discovered, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six youngsters that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson notified the police a second time.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five children.
