Sex abuse victim could not cope with ‘liar’ attack

By EMMA CLARK
Published on 11/02/2013 01:28

THE husband of a sex abuse victim who killed herself after giving evidence against her former music teacher, said the mother of four felt like she was on trial.

Levine Andrade, 59, also a musician, said his wife, Frances, was “incensed” by the court system and the questioning of her by the prosecution.

Michael Brewer, 68, was on Friday convicted of sexually abusing Mrs Andrade while she was a pupil at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester. Brewer’s ex-wife, Kay, 68, was also found guilty of indecently assaulting Mrs Andrade when she was 18.

The body of violin teacher Mrs Andrade, 48, was found at her home a week after she gave evidence on 16 and 17 January at Manchester Crown Court. Mr Andrade said his wife was devastated at being called a liar by the prosecution when she told the court of the historic sex abuse.

He said she was left feeling “inconsolable” afterwards: “It was partly because it was a ­female barrister, partly because she was called a liar, partly ­because she couldn’t remember all the right dates.

“Fran found it amazing that 
a woman [barrister] could do a job like that” he added.