A man who spiked candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two children who were between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and a grown-up became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the courthouse on recently.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on November 28th.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a summer camp which he operated.
The man conducted a "candy game" with the children, the legal counsel said, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as fast as possible".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She explained the man had been capable of justifying this over a long period as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepchild had suspicions in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "This year his family member had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to investigate in the man's possessions."
Mrs Prior KC explained objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She said the defendant proceeded to play the "treat game" with six children that evening - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, previously told that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the children were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities once more.
She said the defendant then engaged in the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
