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A man who contaminated sweets with tranquilliser and provided them to children at a summer camp in the area has confessed to sexual offences against two young males who were nine and ten years old.

The defendant was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up fell ill at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.

The elderly man, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at the courthouse on the end of the week.

However, he refused to admit one particular crime he was accused of, which was concerning a nine-year-old child.

The defendant was remanded in custody prior to a additional proceeding on late November.

'Treat game'

The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined the criminal behavior to the legal proceedings.

She explained his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were attending a summer program which he operated.

The man played a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the prosecutor said, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were preparing to sleep and ask them to ingest treats "rapidly".

She informed the proceedings the defendant had engaged in this activity with the boys "repeatedly", and youngsters had earlier experienced illness the subsequent day.

She explained the defendant had been successful in rationalizing this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had suspicions in July 2025.

The prosecutor added: "In the summer" his stepson had suspicions about the activities, with valid cause.

"They decided to examine in the individual's items."

The legal counsel said items including baby oil, Vaseline and syringes were located, and his stepchild notified the police about his suspicions.

She stated the man continued to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - Saturday 26 July - and they were everyone unwell the following morning.

"Law enforcement" had not arrived by that point," she stated further.

The police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the events.

The prosecutor stated the minors were having difficulty walking due to their condition, so the family member contacted the police a second time.

She stated the defendant then played the "candy game" in a room of five minors.