This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/feb/14/chetham-violin-teacher-arrested
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Chetham's music school violin teacher arrested on suspicion of rape | Chetham's music school violin teacher arrested on suspicion of rape |
| (8 days later) | |
| A world-renowned violin teacher at Chetham's School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester has been arrested on suspicion of rape. | A world-renowned violin teacher at Chetham's School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester has been arrested on suspicion of rape. |
| Wen Zhou Li is one of at least six current or former teachers from Chetham's and the RNCM who are being investigated by officers from Greater Manchester police's public protection unit, according to Guardian sources. | Wen Zhou Li is one of at least six current or former teachers from Chetham's and the RNCM who are being investigated by officers from Greater Manchester police's public protection unit, according to Guardian sources. |
| Li, originally from China, has taught at both institutions since at least 1996. According to his profile on the RNCM website, he came to England in 1988 to teach at the Yehudi Menuhin school and is founder of the international violin sonata course. He was featured in a Channel 4 television documentary called Learning with Mr Li, which focused on his teaching at Chetham's. Police said he was released on bail tonight pending further inquiries. | Li, originally from China, has taught at both institutions since at least 1996. According to his profile on the RNCM website, he came to England in 1988 to teach at the Yehudi Menuhin school and is founder of the international violin sonata course. He was featured in a Channel 4 television documentary called Learning with Mr Li, which focused on his teaching at Chetham's. Police said he was released on bail tonight pending further inquiries. |
| The arrest comes a week after a former musical director at Chetham's was found guilty of indecently assaulting a pupil at the school. Michael Brewer, along with his ex-wife, Kay, was convicted of sexually assaulting Frances Andrade, who killed herself halfway through the trial. | The arrest comes a week after a former musical director at Chetham's was found guilty of indecently assaulting a pupil at the school. Michael Brewer, along with his ex-wife, Kay, was convicted of sexually assaulting Frances Andrade, who killed herself halfway through the trial. |
| Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said yesterday: "We have arrested a 57-year-old man from Cheshire on suspicion of committing rape. This also relates to historic offences and he will be interviewed later today by detectives." | Chief Superintendent Russ Jackson said yesterday: "We have arrested a 57-year-old man from Cheshire on suspicion of committing rape. This also relates to historic offences and he will be interviewed later today by detectives." |
| He said detectives were looking into at least 20 allegations of sexual offences reported by former pupils at Chetham's. "We are aware of the widespread media coverage about our investigation into reports of historic sexual abuse at Chetham's," Jackson said. "Continued speculation in the press about former teachers and incidents can be unhelpful to the victims and the investigation. This is therefore something we cannot comment on directly at present. That said, we understand the need for as much transparency as possible, so what we can say is this investigation is looking into more than 20 individual reports of sexual offences reported by former pupils at the school." He added: "Various names have been mentioned in the press of people involved in offences. Clearly we will use this information, comparing it against allegations made. If any of those publicly named wish to speak to police directly now, we will of course interview them to take their account. | He said detectives were looking into at least 20 allegations of sexual offences reported by former pupils at Chetham's. "We are aware of the widespread media coverage about our investigation into reports of historic sexual abuse at Chetham's," Jackson said. "Continued speculation in the press about former teachers and incidents can be unhelpful to the victims and the investigation. This is therefore something we cannot comment on directly at present. That said, we understand the need for as much transparency as possible, so what we can say is this investigation is looking into more than 20 individual reports of sexual offences reported by former pupils at the school." He added: "Various names have been mentioned in the press of people involved in offences. Clearly we will use this information, comparing it against allegations made. If any of those publicly named wish to speak to police directly now, we will of course interview them to take their account. |
| "These are historic offences which involved a relatively small number of teachers. We are working closely with victims and witnesses and will have specially trained officers to support them. We have formed a dedicated team of investigators to look into this and are working closely with the school." | "These are historic offences which involved a relatively small number of teachers. We are working closely with victims and witnesses and will have specially trained officers to support them. We have formed a dedicated team of investigators to look into this and are working closely with the school." |
| Claire Moreland, head of Chetham's, said: "The school has already made it clear that we are working with the police to get to the bottom of these serious allegations and it has encouraged, and continues to encourage, those with any relevant information to contact the police." | Claire Moreland, head of Chetham's, said: "The school has already made it clear that we are working with the police to get to the bottom of these serious allegations and it has encouraged, and continues to encourage, those with any relevant information to contact the police." |
| A spokeswoman for the RNCM said: "Wen Zhou Li has been suspended from the college. I can't comment further at this time." | A spokeswoman for the RNCM said: "Wen Zhou Li has been suspended from the college. I can't comment further at this time." |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |