A FORMER Farnham Youth Choir collaborator honoured by the Queen and famous for his work with the BBC has been convicted of sexually abusing a former pupil, who killed herself during the trial.

Michael Brewer, a former National Youth Choir music director, first came into contact with the Farnham Youth Choir in 1995 and led singing workshops with the choir's members between 1998 and 2010.

However, along with his ex-wife Hilary, he was last week found guilty on five counts of indecently assaulting former student Frances Andrade more than 30 years ago, when she was just 14 and 15 years old.

It has since emerged that Mrs Andrade, 48 at the time of the trial, committed suicide at her home less than a week after she gave evidence against Brewer at Manchester Crown Court.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.