An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including baby oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the family member notified the police once more.
She said the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.