The musician was formerly head of strings at the Royal Northern College of Music and taught at Chetham's

ChethamsAbuse

Former Royal Northern College of Music head of strings, Malcolm Layfield, has been charged with one count of rape. The alleged offence – against a then 18-year-old – dates back to 1982, when he was a violin teacher at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester (pictured), but is said to have taken place outside of term time.

Layfield resigned from his role at the Royal Northern College last year after police began investigating allegations made against him as part of Operation Kiso. The inquiry into sex abuse at Chetham’s and the RNCM began in February 2013, following the conviction of former Chetham’s head of music Michael Brewer, who was jailed for six years and stripped of his OBE. His victim was violinist Frances Andrade, who killed herself after giving evidence at his trial.

Layfield, who was arrested twice last year, is due to appear before Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on 14 August.

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