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A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a summer camp in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual crimes against two boys who were between nine and ten.

The accused was detained after eight minors and an older person became sick at the location in the summer month.

The elderly man, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.

Yet, he disputed one particular crime he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on late November.

'Candy game'

Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.

She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were attending a summer program which he managed.

The man played a "treat game" with the children, the legal counsel explained, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".

She told the court the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the next day.

She stated the man had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepchild had suspicions in summer 2025.

Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, with valid cause.

"They decided to examine in the defendant's belongings."

The legal counsel stated objects including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his concerns.

She stated the man continued to play the "sweet game" with six boys that night - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.

"Law enforcement" had not gone out by that time," she continued.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, had stated that it was reviewing Leicestershire Police's handling of the events.

Mrs Prior stated the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement again.

She stated the man then played the "treat game" in a room of five children.