Top music school in historic
sex abuse
inquiry

The former music director at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester was labelled “a predatory sex offender” yesterday as he was jailed for six years.

His victims included ex-pupil Frances Andrade, 48, whom he groomed for sex from the age of 14 and who went on to take her life at her home in Guildford, Surrey, during his trial.

Others were a 17-year-old student at Chetham’s fondled by Brewer in his office, while another 17-year-old was pinned up against a wall during a school trip and sexually propositioned.

The trial heard allegations that sexual liaisons between teachers and pupils at Chetham’s were not uncommon. When it ended, a number of former pupils made allegations against other staff members in national newspapers.

Last month Greater Manchester Police said it was investigating more than 20 individual reports of sexual offences.

Yesterday a senior detective confirmed “a pool of suspects” were at the centre of their widening probe, although just one man has been arrested so far and bailed.

Brewer, 68, was convicted last month of indecently assaulting Mrs Andrade when she was an underage violin student.

Sentencing him, Judge Martin Rudland said “Countless individuals” had been drawn to and led their own distinguished musical careers on the international stage as a result of Brewer’s commitment, ability and inspiration.

He told him: “Sadly there is another side to you and it is this. You were, and may still be, a predatory sex offender. Of that let no one be in any doubt.”

Brewer’s ex-wife, Kay, 68, was jailed for 21 months for indecently assaulting Mrs Andrade when she was 18.

Brewer, of Selly Oak, Birmingham, was convicted of five counts of indecently assaulting his victim when she was 14 and 15 and known as Frances Shorney.

He was cleared of raping Mrs Andrade when she was 18 at his then home in Manchester.

Keen churchgoer 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.