A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys both nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the judicial center on recently.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his targets were under-privileged children who were staying at a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, Vaseline and medical needles were found, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member notified the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five youngsters.
