Abuse teacher jailed for 6 years

Choirmaster Michael Brewer, who was jailed for six years for indecently assaulting a former pupil, lost a challenge against the length of the prison term at the Court of Appeal today.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have praised abuse victim Frances Andrade for her "bravery" in facing her abusers in court.

The 48-year-old went on to take her own life after giving evidence at the trial of Michael Brewer and his ex-wife Kay.

Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle, head of GMP's Public Protection Division, said:

The force is conducting an historic sex abuse investigation in relation to offences at Chetham's School of Music as a result of calls from former pupils, she added.

A man and his ex-wife have been jailed for indecently assaulting a teenage girl in the late 1970s .

Michael Brewer, who was convicted of five counts of indecent assault following a trial at Manchester Crown Court, was sentenced to six years in prison.

His ex-wife Kay Brewer was convicted of indecent assault and sentenced to 21 months in jail.

Michael Brewer was convicted last month of indecently assaulting 48-year-old Frances Andrade when she was an underage student at the prestigious Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.

Sentencing Michael Brewer, Judge Martin Rudland, sitting at Manchester Crown Court, said he had used his "powerful position" to groom Frances Andrade.

"You have had an impressive career but that is now at an end," he said.

"Sadly there is another side to you and it is this. You were, and you may still be, a predatory sex offender. Of that let no-one be in any doubt."

The ex-wife of choirmaster of Michael Brewer has been jailed at Manchester Crown Court for 21 months for indecent assault.

Kay Brewer, of Knowl Gap Avenue, Rossendale, Lancashire, was cleared of aiding and abetting the alleged rape but convicted of one count of indecent assault against Frances Andrade when she was an underage.

A choirmaster who sexually abused a pupil who went on to take her own life during his trial has been jailed for six years.

Michael Brewer, 68, of Swarthmore Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, was convicted last month of indecently assaulting 48-year-old Frances Andrade when she was an underage student at the prestigious Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.

The family of Frances Andrade have said they believed the court system had let her down and criticised the judicial process, in particular her cross-examination.

The 48-year-old went on to take her own life after giving evidence at the trial of Michael Brewer and his ex-wife Kay.

Her son, Oliver, said: "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."

Read: Family of sex abuse victim say trial was 'more than she could bear'

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A choirmaster who sexually abused an ex-pupil who went on to take her own life during his trial will be sentenced today.

Michael Brewer, 68, was convicted last month of indecently assaulting 48-year-old Frances Andrade when she was an underage student at the prestigious Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.

The mother-of-four, from Guildford, Surrey was visibly agitated on occasions as she gave evidence over two days at Manchester Crown Court in mid-January.

A week later it emerged her body had been discovered at her home, although her death was withheld from jury members until they had reached their verdicts against Brewer and his ex-wife, Kay, 68, who was found guilty of indecently assaulting Mrs Andrade when she was 18.

Brewer, of Swarthmore Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham, was convicted of five counts of indecently assaulting her at the age of 14 and 15 when she was known as Frances Shorney. He was cleared of raping Mrs Andrade when she was 18 at his then home in Chorlton, Manchester.

Kay Brewer, of Knowl Gap Avenue, Rossendale, Lancashire, was cleared of aiding and abetting the alleged rape but convicted of one count of indecent assault against the complainant - said to have taken place on the same night as the alleged rape.