Michael Brewer, former music director of Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a student when she was 14 and 15 years old. The incidents took place at the specialist music school between 1978 and 1982. The victim, a professional violinist who gave evidence at Manchester Crown Court, died during the trial and is reported to have killed herself, although news of her death did not emerge until the trail’s conclusion today.

Brewer’s ex-wife, Hilary Kay Brewer, was found guilty of indecently assaulting the same victim when she was 18 but found not guilty of aiding and abetting rape. Brewer was found not guilty of raping the victim when she was 18. It is expected both defendants will receive a custodial sentence.

Brewer resigned from his post at Chetham’s School in 1994 after an affair emerged with a 17-year-old pupil. He was awarded an OBE in 1995 and went on to become artistic director of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and the World Youth Choir. In 2008 he worked on the BBC’s Last Choir Standing programme.