A man who contaminated candy with sedative and distributed them to minors at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight minors and one adult became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a series of 17 offences when he appeared at the courthouse on recently.
Yet, he refused to admit one particular crime he was facing, which was against a young boy.
The defendant was held in detention ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, detailed the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She explained his those affected were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the minors, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and children had earlier experienced illness the next day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had concerns in summer 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "Recently" his family member had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his family member alerted the law enforcement about his worries.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - July 26th - and they were all ill the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that time," she continued.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson called the police a second time.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
