A person who contaminated candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the location in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was held in detention prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the court.
She stated his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the man had conducted this practice with the young males "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the man continued to conduct the "candy game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not gone out by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a room of five children.
