A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males who were nine and 10.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a further hearing on 28 November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant engaged in a "sweet game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC stated items including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were found, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
