Person confesses to sexual offenses targeting boys at youth camp
An individual who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two children aged between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed Ruben's offending to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
Ruben played a "sweet game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said objects including baby oil, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She stated the man proceeded to play the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor explained the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so Ruben's stepson called the police a second time.
She stated Ruben then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five children.
