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Michael Brewer: Music director guilty of sex abuse charges Michael Brewer: Victim 'killed herself' during trial
(about 1 hour later)
A leading choir director and his ex-wife have been convicted of indecently assaulting a former music school pupil. A woman who was indecently assaulted by a leading choir director and his ex-wife died after giving evidence during their trial, it can be revealed.
Michael Brewer, 68, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, carried out the offences at Chetham's School of Music between 1978 and 1982. Frances Andrade, 48, is believed to have killed herself after appearing at the trial of Michael and Hilary Brewer at Manchester Crown Court.
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. Mrs Andrade's son Oliver said having her personal integrity challenged in court was "more than she could bear".
Brewer and his ex-wife Hilary, 67, of Lancashire, denied all charges. Brewer, 68, and his ex-wife Hilary, 67, were convicted earlier.
Brewer was cleared of one charge of indecently assaulting the victim as a child in his home. In a statement, Oliver Andrade said: "Like all people she was not impervious, being repeatedly called a liar and a fantasist about a horrific part of her life in front of a court challenged her personal integrity and was more than even she could bear."
Violin teacher
Brewer, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, carried out the offences while at Chetham's School of Music between 1978 and 1982.
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.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.
She was cleared of aiding and abetting rape.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. The jury cleared Brewer of rape and one charge of indecently assaulting the victim as a child in his home.
They had both denied all charges.
Mrs Andrade was found dead at her home less than a week after she gave evidence.
The revelation came after the prosecution case closed and Brewer was defending himself.
Mrs Andrade, a violin teacher, chose to give evidence in the witness box in full view of everyone in the courtroom, including the two defendants in the dock.
Giving evidence, she 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 news of the victim's death came after the prosecution case closed in the case and Brewer was defending himself. It was revealed in court while the jury was not there that Mrs Andrade had died and it was believed she had killed herself.
Judge Rudland put a temporary reporting ban on her death and kept it from the jury.
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.