A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in the area has admitted sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a series of 17 offences when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including baby oil, ointment and syringes were discovered, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the authorities a second time.
She said the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
