Somerset sex abuse teacher is found guilty and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment
Somerset sex abuse compensation claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. Contact our confidential free legal helpline.
36 year old former teacher Keith Ruby has been convicted of 16 counts of sexual offences against a teenage boy at Taunton Crown Court.
Ruby began working for a public school in Somerset in November 2003. Whilst Ruby met his victim whilst coaching rugby at the school, it’s former head teacher has emphasised that the abuse occurred away from the school’s premises and after Ruby had left the school’s employment at the end of January 2005
Ruby abused the boy over a 12 month period when he was between the ages of 14 and 15. Ruby, the boy’s rugby coach, convinced his victim that he had the talent to become a professional rugby player. His victim is said to have hero worshipped him and Ruby used this to forge a close relationship with the boy, which led to one-on-one coaching sessions.
Ruby worked himself into a position of trust within the victim’s family and was even invited to share family meals. Ruby abused his privileged situation for his own sexual advantage. His betrayal has left the family completely devastated.
The Court heard that Ruby subjected the boy to intimate sports massages at the victim’s home and told him to strip for physical tests before abusing him. The abuse also occurred in the changing rooms at both Weston and Winscombe rugby clubs and on an overseas rugby trip to Canada, although neither club was ever part of the police investigation.
The boy’s parents became suspicious after discovering inappropriate texts from Ruby on their son’s phone, and after walking in on Ruby giving their son a massage. The police then investigated the allegations after another teacher at Ruby’s former school brought the matter to light in October 2005. However, the boy initially denied the abuse and it was not until 2011 that he was able to come forward. A fresh investigation was then launched which led to Ruby’s arrest on 19 March 2011. He was charged in January 2012.
Ruby denied all 20 allegations, but on 6 December 2012 the jury at Taunton Crown Court found him guilty by a majority verdict of 11 counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child, and 5 counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child. He was sentenced on 4 January 2013 to 10 years imprisonment, forced to sign the sex offences register for life and placed on a barring list to prevent him working with children again in the future.
A member of our specialist abuse team, commented,
‘Vulnerable children, who are abused by an adult in a position of trust, often take many years to come forward and speak about their ordeal. It is evident that Ruby was an extremely manipulative man, a common trait in paedophiles who frequently go to extreme lengths to groom their victims. The conviction has only occurred here due to the courage of the victim and his family.’
Contact your local Somerset sex abuse solicitors for free guidance on claiming compensation. Call 0333 888 0445 or email [email protected]