A man who laced treats with sleeping medication and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual offenses against two children both nine and 10.
The defendant was taken into custody after eight children and one adult experienced illness at the facility in July.
The 76-year-old, from that region, admitted guilt to a total of 17 charges when he was present at Leicester Crown Court on Friday.
Yet, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The accused was remanded in custody prior to a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the criminal behavior to the judicial body.
She said his those affected were disadvantaged youngsters who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The defendant conducted a "candy game" with the children, the prosecutor stated, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and request they to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "for many years", and minors had earlier experienced illness the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this for many years as the children being "overstimulated by activities", until his stepson had suspicions in recently.
The legal representative stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the situation, justifiably.
"They chose" to examine in the defendant's belongings."
The prosecutor stated materials including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepchild contacted the law enforcement about his concerns.
She explained the man continued to conduct the "treat game" with six youngsters that time - that Saturday - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.
"The police had not arrived by that time," she added.
The police watchdog, the investigative body, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior explained the minors were having difficulty walking due to being ill, so the stepson notified the police a second time.
She said the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.
