A person who spiked candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has confessed to sexual crimes against two children who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his those affected were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had worries about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC said objects including baby oil, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She said the defendant went on to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that night - July 26th - and they were all ill the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior explained the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She explained the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five children.
