An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males both nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to ingest treats "as fast as possible".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor continued: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
