A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males both nine and 10.
The defendant was detained after eight children and an older person fell ill at the facility in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had played this game with the young males "for many years", and minors had previously fallen ill the next day.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had worries in recently.
The legal representative added: "Recently" his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor said objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and syringes were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his worries.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "candy game" with six boys that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that stage," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the situation.
The prosecutor explained the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the stepson notified the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "treat game" in a space of five minors.
