An individual who spiked treats with sedative and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She said the man then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
