Addressing Ruben, Judge Timothy Spencer KC said: “Ultimately, this case is about you achieving sexual gratification by carrying out your sexual fantasies focused upon young boys through careful, cynical, chilling preparation and by manipulation.”
The parents of his victims nodded, and some wiped tears, as the judge handed down the sentence.
Continuing his sentencing remarks, Spencer said Ruben “lied and lied” when the police held an emergency interview with him to try and find out what drug he had given the children, so medics could treat them appropriately.
He added Ruben had made a “chilling” application to join an online paedophile group.
Spencer said Ruben, from Ruddington in Nottinghamshire, “misused” his veterinary knowledge and used the dark web to access drugs, and “espoused Christianity” and used his religion and his regard in the church to get into “close proximity to boys”.
His role in the church led him to launch the camp at Stathern Lodge.
“With supreme irony, you were the safeguarding lead,” the judge added.