A man who laced treats with sedative and distributed them to youngsters at a summer camp in the region has admitted sexual offenses against two young males aged nine and 10.
The accused was arrested after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, detailed the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were participating in a youth camp which he managed.
The defendant conducted a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and tell them to eat sweets "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had engaged in this activity with the boys "for many years", and youngsters had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had worries in recently.
The prosecutor continued: "In the summer" his stepson had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They resolved" to examine in the individual's items."
Mrs Prior KC explained items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the defendant continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the following morning.
"The police had not responded by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the stepson called the law enforcement once more.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five minors.
