An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She said the man went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating the police response of the events.
The legal representative stated the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
