A person who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, admitted guilt to a series of 17 offences when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he disputed one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would go into the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the man had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
The prosecutor added: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six youngsters that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the situation.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
