A person who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to children at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and an older person experienced illness at the location in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the man had played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this repeatedly as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were located, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The legal representative stated the youngsters were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a area of five minors.
