Youth Choir Chief Michael Brewer and ex-Wife Convicted of Child Sex Abuse

BREAKING: Choirmaster Michael Brewer's Victim Frances Andrade 'Killed Herself' During Trial

A top choirmaster and his former wife have been convicted of sexually abusing a young student more than 30 years ago.

Michael Brewer OBE and ex-wife Kay Brewer, both 68, were convicted at Manchester Crown Court of molesting a 15-year-old girl during years of abuse.

Peter Cadwallader QC, prosecuting, described Mr Brewer as a brilliant and charismatic teacher, but a man who "could not keep his hands off" female pupils. He was artistic director at the National Youth Choir when he was arrested last year.

Mr Brewer indecently assaulted the victim in his own office at the prestigious Chetham's school of music, in Long Millgate, Manchester. Kay Brewer also indecently assaulted the victim at their home, when the girl had turned adult.

An additional charge, that the Brewers conspired together in a rape by Michael Brewer, was still being considered by the jury.

The jury heard Michael Brewer groomed a 15-year-old teen for sex before allegedly tying her to a bed with a belt. His wife Kay then instructed him to "show her what he'd done to her" during a two-year long affair.

During that time, Michael Brewer indecently assaulted the victim in a caravan he kept at Chetham's.

When the victim went to the couple's house, Kay Brewer allegedly told the teen that "she had always wanted a sexual relationship with a woman," the court heard. The choirmaster's wife told the girl she "owed" her because of her 'affair' with her teacher.

The court also heard that school principal Peter Hullah interrupted Brewer in his office after he asked a 16-year-old to perform a sex act on him.

Michael Brewer quit his post at Chetham's in 1994, following an inquiry into his activities.

The victim, described as a hugely talented musician, stayed quiet about the abuse for three decades until informing a doctor, who passed on the information to police.

Chetham's is an exclusive fee-paying school, at which pupils aged between eight and 18-years-old are required to study at least two instruments.

Notable former pupils include the Level 42 singer and keyboard player, Mike Lindup. TV actor Max Beesley also attended the school. He has starred in Mad Dogs and popular BBC drama Hotel Babylon.

Chetham's also contains the oldest public library in Britain.