A man who spiked sweets with sleeping medication and distributed them to minors at a summer program in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males both between nine and ten.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he appeared at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he denied a single sexual charge he was facing, which was concerning a nine-year-old boy.
The defendant was held in detention before a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Treat game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She said his victims were under-privileged children who were participating in a youth camp which he operated.
The man engaged in a "treat game" with the minors, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were settling down and tell them to eat sweets "as quickly as they can".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the boys "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the subsequent day.
She said the defendant had been capable of justifying this repeatedly as the minors being "overstimulated by activities", until his family member had concerns in recently.
Mrs Prior KC continued: "In the summer" his family member had concerns about the situation, with valid cause.
"They resolved" to have a look in the man's possessions."
The legal counsel stated objects including lubricant, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepson notified the authorities about his concerns.
She stated the man went on to play the "candy game" with six children that time - that Saturday - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she added.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating Leicestershire Police's handling of the incident.
Mrs Prior stated the youngsters were unable to walk properly due to being ill, so the family member contacted the authorities a second time.
She explained the defendant then conducted the "treat game" in a space of five youngsters.
