A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The defendant was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at the facility in the summer month.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was charged with, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this for many years as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had concerns about the activities, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel said items including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his stepson notified the police about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
The legal representative said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement once more.
She stated the defendant then conducted the "candy game" in a area of five children.
