MICHAEL BREWER SHOCKS BIRMINGHAM AND MANCHESTER WITH SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Birmingham, Chorlton, and Manchester, Michael Brewer, a once-respected choirmaster, has been convicted of heinous sexual offenses against a young girl during his tenure at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned several years, involving multiple locations and a trusted figure in the musical world.

Michael Brewer, aged 68 and residing on Swarthmore Road in Birmingham’s Selly Oak district, was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault committed when the victim was just 14 and 15 years old. The victim, Frances Andrade, a talented violin teacher aged 48 from Guildford, Surrey, had bravely testified in court about her traumatic experiences. Her testimony was particularly poignant because she had given evidence just days before her tragic death, which was confirmed to be a suicide by Surrey Police. Her body was discovered at her home less than a week after she had appeared in court, a devastating loss that has deeply affected her family and the wider community.

The court heard that the abuse took place within the confines of Brewer’s office at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, as well as in his camper van, which he used to take the young girl out of the school grounds. During these encounters, Brewer subjected her to oral sex, exploiting his position of authority and trust. The court also established that Brewer was cleared of charges related to raping Andrade when she was 18 at his then residence in Chorlton, Manchester. However, he was convicted of multiple indecent assaults against her when she was a minor, underlining the severity of his misconduct.

Brewer’s ex-wife, Kay, aged 68 and from Knowl Gap Avenue in Rossendale, Lancashire, was also convicted in connection with the case. She was sentenced to 21 months after being found guilty of indecently assaulting Andrade when she was 18. Although she was cleared of aiding and abetting the alleged rape, she was convicted of one count of indecent assault, which reportedly occurred on the same night as the alleged rape. Kay Brewer, a devout churchgoer, had previously been involved in the case, and her role in the events was scrutinized during the trial.

Michael Brewer’s illustrious career was marked by significant achievements, including being awarded an OBE in 1995 for his services to music. He resigned from his position as music director at Chetham’s at the end of 1994 after an affair with a 17-year-old pupil was uncovered. Despite this scandal, Brewer continued to hold prominent roles, including serving as the artistic director of the National Youth Choirs of Britain, directing the World Youth Choir, and acting as an adjudicator in international competitions. He also led workshops for the BBC’s Last Choir Standing in 2008, and one of his ensembles performed privately for Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral in 2007.

The trial also shed light on Brewer’s personal life, revealing that he had a previous relationship with a 17-year-old pupil, which he kept hidden from the public. His ex-wife, Kay, was said to have known about this relationship, and court documents described her visiting Brewer’s office, where he showed her engraved watches he had bought for himself and his teenage lover. The court heard that Brewer’s misconduct extended back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, with allegations of assaults against another girl during her time at Chetham’s.

During the proceedings, the court was informed that the police investigation was initiated by Jenavora Williams, a teacher at the National Youth Choir, after her friend, Andrade, confided in her about her experiences at Chetham’s. Andrade had initially wanted the matter to be handled internally but later cooperated fully with law enforcement after Williams reported her concerns to the police in 2011.

Judge Martin Rudland, presiding over the case, expressed profound regret over the tragic death of Frances Andrade, stating that she had taken her own life during the trial. The judge emphasized that her death was a tragic consequence of the immense emotional toll of reliving her abuse in court. Both Brewer and his ex-wife were remanded into custody, with the judge indicating that prison sentences were inevitable and that they would be required to register as sex offenders.

In a statement, Oliver Andrade, Frances’s son, described her as a talented and resilient woman who had faced numerous tragedies in her life. He expressed sorrow over her loss and highlighted her courage in coming forward to seek justice, despite the personal toll it took on her. The family’s grief was compounded by the knowledge that she had been subjected to such abuse and that her efforts to seek justice ultimately contributed to her tragic death.

Chetham’s School of Music’s current headteacher, Claire Moreland, publicly apologized for the betrayal of trust by Michael Brewer and expressed deep sorrow for Andrade’s family. She reaffirmed the school’s commitment to child protection and emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of its students. The school’s child protection measures were praised as robust and reflective of sector-wide improvements.

Meanwhile, Nazir Afzal, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, highlighted the importance of pursuing justice for victims of sexual abuse, especially when the perpetrators are in positions of authority. He acknowledged the long-lasting impact of such crimes and paid tribute to Andrade’s bravery in supporting the prosecution. His statement underscored the importance of holding offenders accountable and providing support to victims, even many years after the abuse occurred.