An individual who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to children at a youth camp in the area has pleaded guilty to sexual crimes against two young males aged nine and ten years old.
The accused was arrested after eight youngsters and an older person experienced illness at Stathern Lodge in mid-summer.
The senior citizen, from the Nottinghamshire area, confessed to a multiple criminal counts when he was present at the courthouse on the end of the week.
Yet, he disputed a single sexual charge he was facing, which was involving a nine-year-old child.
The accused was remanded in custody before a subsequent court date on late November.
'Candy game'
The prosecutor, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the court.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a summer program which he operated.
The man played a "treat game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel 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 played this game with the boys "over an extended period", and minors had previously become sick the next day.
She explained the man had been able to explain this over a long period as the children being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his stepson had concerns in recently.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They decided to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC said items including lubricant, ointment and medical needles were discovered, and his family member notified the law enforcement about his concerns.
She stated the man continued to conduct the "sweet game" with six youngsters that night - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the next day.
"The police had not gone out by that point," she added.
The regulatory agency, the investigative body, earlier informed that it was investigating law enforcement's management of the incident.
Mrs Prior said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to their condition, so the stepson notified the authorities again.
She stated the man then played the "sweet game" in a space of five children.
