An individual who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member alerted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the minors were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
