An individual who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person fell ill at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor explained, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor stated materials including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the police about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six children that evening - July 26th - and they were all sick the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a space of five minors.
