A man who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was detained after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel stated, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and request they to ingest treats "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had previously become sick the next day.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had worries about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including infant oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She said the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six children that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a area of five youngsters.
