A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two boys aged nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC added: "In the summer" his stepson had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the defendant proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
