Individual confesses to sexual crimes involving young males at youth camp
A person who contaminated sweets with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the judicial center on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he managed.
Ruben conducted a "treat game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had played this game with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated Ruben continued to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson called the law enforcement again.
She said the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five children.
