A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two children both nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult fell ill at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She told the court the defendant had played this game with the boys "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his stepson had worries about the activities, justifiably.
"They decided to examine in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his stepson notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "candy game" with six boys that evening - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the minors were unable to walk properly due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then played the "treat game" in a room of five youngsters.
