An individual who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two children both nine and ten years old.
The accused was detained after eight children and one adult experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in the summer month.
The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was held in detention prior to a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Sweet game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his targets were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.
The defendant played a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor explained, in which he would go into the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and ask them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She told the court the man had engaged in this activity with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this for many years as the children being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had concerns in July 2025.
Mrs Prior KC stated further: "This year his family member had concerns about the activities, with valid cause.
"They decided to have a look in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC stated objects including infant oil, Vaseline and injection devices were discovered, and his stepchild notified the authorities about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to engage in the "sweet game" with six youngsters that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not responded by that time," she added.
The oversight body, the investigative body, had stated that it was reviewing law enforcement's management of the incident.
The legal representative explained the minors were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the family member called the law enforcement again.
She explained the man then engaged in the "candy game" in a room of five children.
