A man who spiked candy with sedative and gave them to minors at a youth camp in the region has admitted sexual offences against two children both nine and 10.
The accused was taken into custody after eight children and an older person became sick at the location in mid-summer.
The elderly man, from that region, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
However, he denied one of the sexual offences he was charged with, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was remanded in custody before a further hearing on November 28th.
'Treat game'
Mary Prior KC, prosecuting, outlined the defendant's actions to the legal proceedings.
She stated his targets were disadvantaged youngsters who were participating in a summer camp which he managed.
The defendant engaged in a "candy game" with the youngsters, Mrs Prior explained, in which he would access the sleeping quarters when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She told the court the man had conducted this practice with the children "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the following morning.
She said the man had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overexcited from fun", until his family member had worries in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "This year his stepson had suspicions about what was going on, for good reason.
"They resolved" to investigate in the man's possessions."
The prosecutor said materials including infant oil, Vaseline and syringes were discovered, and his family member alerted the authorities about his concerns.
She explained the defendant went on to play the "sweet game" with six children that time - Saturday 26 July - and they were all sick the next day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that point," she added.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, earlier informed that it was examining law enforcement's management of the incident.
The prosecutor said the youngsters were struggling to walk due to being ill, so the stepson contacted the law enforcement again.
She stated the man then engaged in the "sweet game" in a area of five children.
