Andrade defence lawyer claims she’s too scared to ride a bus

Kate Blackwell QC, who conducted a brutal cross-examination of the violinist Frances Andrade in the rape case against Chetham’s music director Mike Brewer, entered a curious defence when she was stopped for speeding.

Ms Blackwell, 44, said she could not afford to lose her driving license as she feared for her life if she took a bus after the vilification she attracted for defending Mike Brewer.

Brewer was jailed for six years for sexual assault. Andrade, at the end of her cross-examination by Blackwell, committed suicide.

The court in Buxton was unimpressed by Ms Blackwell. She was fined £650 and banned from driving for six months. The ban was later suspended, pending appeal.

Do not approach her if you happen to see her on a bus.