A person who contaminated treats with sedative and distributed them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he was present at the courthouse on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and children had previously become sick the next day.
She said Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "candy game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the police once more.
She said Ruben then played the "candy game" in a area of five children.
