A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and provided them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the youngsters, 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 told the court the defendant had played this game with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously become sick the following morning.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said materials including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were found, and his family member contacted the police about his concerns.
She said the man proceeded to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She said the man then played the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
