An individual who spiked treats with tranquilliser and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has admitted sexual offences against two young males who were nine and 10.
The defendant was arrested after eight minors and one adult experienced illness at the facility in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he appeared at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was kept in jail prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She stated his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "candy game" with the minors, the prosecutor explained, in which he would access the boys' rooms when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had played this game with the children "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She stated the defendant had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to investigate in the individual's items."
The legal counsel stated items including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member contacted the police about his worries.
She explained the defendant proceeded to conduct the "candy game" with six children that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that stage," she added.
The regulatory agency, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the children were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson contacted the police a second time.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
