A man who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, detailed the criminal behavior to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he ran.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the man had conducted this practice with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said items including baby oil, ointment and injection devices were located, and his stepson alerted the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the subsequent day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
