'Several' People Contact Police After Manchester Choirmaster Trial

11 February 2013, 15:56 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police have told Capital 'several' people have been in touch to report sex abuse allegations, following the trial of a former Manchester choirmaster.

68-year-old Michael Brewer was found guilty of indecently assaulting ex-pupil Frances Andrade when she was 14 or 15, around 30 years ago.

The victim killed herself at her home in Surrey a week after giving evidence against him and his ex-wife, Kay, who was convicted of indecently assaulting her when she was 18.

The Guardian newspaper claims to have spoken to 10 women who were sexually abused by another teacher at Chetham's School of Music, where Brewer worked.

Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson from Greater Manchester Police said: "Following the conclusion of the trial last week there has been substantial press coverage and comment.

"Greater Manchester Police has since been provided with a list of potential victims from a newspaper.

"In addition to this, several people have also come forward directly to police.

"Reporting sexual abuse which occurred some time ago is an incredibly difficult thing to do, so we will be affording them, and anyone else who comes forward, all the appropriate time and support to discuss events in their own time.

"We will be working very closely with the school in the coming weeks and months but I must stress this investigation is at a very early stage.

"I would urge anyone who wishes to report abuse at the school to contact Greater Manchester Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

"We have specially trained officers on hand to deal with any complaints sensitively and expeditiously and I would encourage any victim of sexual abuse regardless of when or where the offence occurred to call us.''

Last week, the current headteacher of Chetham's, Claire Moreland, said the revelations of Brewer's impropriety had ``shocked us to the core''.

The Brewers were remanded in custody at Manchester Crown Court on Friday ahead of sentencing on a date yet to be fixed.