An individual who spiked treats with sedative and provided them to minors at a summer camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two children aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person fell ill at the location in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at Leicester Crown Court on recently.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a additional proceeding on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had played this game with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She explained the defendant had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had concerns in July 2025.
The legal representative stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the situation, justifiably.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel explained objects including infant oil, ointment and syringes were found, and his stepson alerted the police about his concerns.
She stated the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that point," she stated further.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing the police response of the situation.
Mrs Prior said the children were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.
She stated the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
