An individual who laced sweets with sleeping medication and provided them to minors at a summer program in the region has confessed to sexual offenses against two young males aged between nine and ten.
The accused was arrested after eight children and a grown-up fell ill at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, pleaded guilty to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the judicial center on recently.
However, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.
The accused was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Sweet game'
The prosecutor, presenting evidence, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She explained his targets were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and ask them to ingest treats "as quickly as they can".
She informed the proceedings the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "repeatedly", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been capable of justifying this for many years as the youngsters being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative continued: "This year his family member had worries about the activities, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor explained materials including infant oil, ointment and syringes were located, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his suspicions.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she continued.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the situation.
The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the law enforcement once more.
She explained the defendant then played the "sweet game" in a room of five youngsters.
