An individual who spiked candy with tranquilliser and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two boys who were nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer program which he ran.
The man conducted a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the young males "for many years", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The legal representative continued: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about what was going on, justifiably.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel stated items including baby oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were found, and his family member contacted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the situation.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson called the authorities once more.
She said the man then conducted the "treat game" in a area of five children.
