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Michael Brewer: Music director guilty of sex abuse charges Michael Brewer: Music director guilty of sex abuse charges
(about 2 hours later)
A leading choir director and his ex-wife have been convicted of indecently assaulting a former music school pupil when she was 14. A leading choir director and his ex-wife have been convicted of indecently assaulting a former music school pupil.
Michael Brewer, 68, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, carried out the offences at Chetham's School of Music and his Manchester home between 1978 and 1982. Michael Brewer, 68, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, carried out the offences at Chetham's School of Music between 1978 and 1982.
The jury at Manchester Crown Court is still deliberating on charges linked to an alleged rape of the same victim. The jury at Manchester Crown Court found him not guilty of raping the same victim, who died during the trial and is thought to have killed herself.
Brewer and his ex-wife, Hilary, 67, of Rossendale, denied all charges. Brewer and his ex-wife Hilary, 67, of Lancashire, denied all charges.
Brewer was cleared of one charge of indecently assaulting the victim as a child in his home.Brewer was cleared of one charge of indecently assaulting the victim as a child in his home.
Hilary Brewer, also known by her middle name Kay, and of Knowl Gap Avenue, was convicted of indecently assaulting the same victim when she was an adult at their then family home. Hilary Brewer, also known by her middle name Kay, and of Knowl Gap Avenue, Rossendale, was convicted of indecently assaulting the same victim when she was an adult at their then family home.
The sole complainant in the case said she was abused by Brewer as she visited his office. The jury was told she did not consider it sexual abuse at the time and did not make an official complaint. She was cleared of aiding and abetting rape.
The victim said she was abused by Brewer as she visited his office. The jury was told she did not consider it sexual abuse at the time and did not make an official complaint.
OBE after affairOBE after affair
The jury of six men and five women is continuing to deliberate over an allegation Mr Brewer raped the victim when she was aged 18 and his then-wife aided and abetted the rape. The news of the victim's death came after the prosecution case closed in the case and Brewer was defending himself.
During the trial, Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, said Brewer had also acted in an improper way towards two other female pupils - years after the alleged victim in the case left the school.During the trial, Peter Cadwallader, prosecuting, said Brewer had also acted in an improper way towards two other female pupils - years after the alleged victim in the case left the school.
In 1994 he was forced to resign from Chetham's after an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl, Mr Cadwallader said.In 1994 he was forced to resign from Chetham's after an inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old girl, Mr Cadwallader said.
The court heard she regularly visited his office and recalled he would persuade her to take off her top and bra and he would fondle her.The court heard she regularly visited his office and recalled he would persuade her to take off her top and bra and he would fondle her.
Giving evidence, Brewer admitted the 1994 affair.Giving evidence, Brewer admitted the 1994 affair.
Brewer, who was appointed OBE in 1995, directed the World Youth Choir and also worked on the BBC's Last Choir Standing programme.Brewer, who was appointed OBE in 1995, directed the World Youth Choir and also worked on the BBC's Last Choir Standing programme.