A man who contaminated candy with sleeping medication and gave them to youngsters at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was against a young boy.
The accused was held in detention ahead of a additional proceeding on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She said his those affected were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said objects including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the defendant proceeded to engage in the "treat game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
Mrs Prior stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson called the police once more.
She stated the man then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
