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A man who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offences against two young males aged nine and ten years old.

Jon Ruben was taken into custody after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the judicial center on recently.

However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.

Ruben was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.

'Candy game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, described Ruben's offending to the court.

She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he operated.

The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel said, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".

She told the court Ruben had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.

"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."

Mrs Prior KC said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his suspicions.

She said Ruben went on to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"The police had not responded by that time," she added.

The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.

Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.

She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five youngsters.