A person who contaminated sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The accused was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had worries about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were located, and his stepson contacted the authorities about his worries.
She said the man went on to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative said the children were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.
