A choirmaster who sexually abused a pupil who took her own life during his trial has been jailed for six years. Michael Brewer was convicted of indecently assaulting Frances Andrade when she was a student at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester.
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.
The son of a woman who was abused by a choirmaster as a teenager and took her own life has spoken of the legacy of his "wonderful mother".
Claims of sex abuse by music teachers are spreading beyond the Chetham's music school in Manchester where they began.