A person who spiked sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to youngsters at a youth camp in the region has pleaded guilty to sexual offences against two boys who were nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in July.
The 76-year-old, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a total of 17 charges when he stood at the courthouse on Friday.
Nevertheless, he refused to admit one of the sexual offences he was facing, which was against a nine-year-old child.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a subsequent court date on 28 November.
'Candy game'
The legal representative, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer camp which he ran.
The man engaged in a "sweet game" with the children, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the children's bedrooms when they were settling down and ask them to consume candy "as quickly as they can".
She stated to the judge the defendant had conducted this practice with the children "for many years", and minors had previously become sick the subsequent day.
She stated the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor added: "This year his stepchild had concerns about the situation, for good reason.
"They chose" to investigate in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including infant oil, petroleum jelly and medical needles were discovered, and his family member contacted the police about his suspicions.
She stated the man proceeded to conduct the "sweet game" with six boys that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the subsequent day.
"The police had not responded by that stage," she stated further.
The regulatory agency, the police conduct office, previously told that it was examining law enforcement's management of the events.
Mrs Prior said the children were unable to walk properly due to their condition, so the stepson notified the police again.
She stated the defendant then engaged in the "candy game" in a space of five youngsters.
