An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were attending a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to ingest treats "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this repeatedly as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.
The prosecutor added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
The prosecutor said materials including lubricant, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his family member notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to engage in the "sweet game" with six boys that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the family member notified the law enforcement a second time.
She said the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
