A person who spiked treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were between nine and ten.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight youngsters and a grown-up fell ill at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, handling the case, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "Recently" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and injection devices were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she continued.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was examining the police response of the incident.
The legal representative said the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
