A man who laced candy with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was accused of, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a youth camp which he ran.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "over an extended period", and children had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to examine in the individual's items."
The legal counsel said items including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were found, and his stepson contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the man proceeded to engage in the "candy game" with six children that night - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"Authorities" had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The oversight body, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then conducted the "sweet game" in a space of five minors.
