A woman told a trial she was sexually assaulted by a music teacher while they were performing at a Salvation Army fundraising show.
The 25-year-old said she was a member of the Salvation Army youth band and choir when Dean Bromage groped her.
She said Bromage was brazen enough to put his hand up her skirt while his wife was singing in the row of the choir in front of them.
The woman said Bromage leaned in and whispered: “Sorry, that was an accident but you probably enjoyed it.”
Salvation Army band ‘assault’
The complainer told the trial at Dundee Sheriff Court she met Bromage in the Salvation Army band and choir and he would give younger members music instruction.
She said he was a secondary school teacher and about ten years older than her at the time.
She said the first time Bromage touched her inappropriately was when the music group travelled to Aberdeen to perform near Union Square.
The woman, who cannot be identified, said Bromage brushed his hand against her breast.
She said she initially thought he may have been brushing off some “pink fluff” from an instrument case but with hindsight, decided his motives were more sinister.
Accused’s wife nearby
The second incident, she said, took place in Edinburgh when Bromage stood beside her in the choir during a show to raise church funds.
“I was standing next to Mr Bromage.
“He leaned behind me to pass on a message.
“As he came back he ran his hand up between my legs.
“I stepped up to avoid his hand going any higher and he withdrew it.
“He said after he withdrew his hand: ‘Sorry, that was an accident – but you probably enjoyed it’.”
She said she was “very angry… very upset.”
“I was struggling to see how it could be an accident.
“His wife played in the band as well – Rebecca – she was in the front row.
“As you can imagine, this is the source of some embarrassment and shame.
“I only reported it later with some reluctance.”
She told the court she had been having music lessons since she was seven years old and none of her teachers had ever leaned in as close as Bromage did when he was passing on instruction.
She said she has “nothing to gain, everything to lose” by making up stories about him.
The charges denied
Bromage, 35, of Fothringham Drive, Monifieth, denies acting in a lewd and libidinous manner towards a girl aged between 12 and 16 at West Sands Beach, St Andrews and Central Salvation Army Hall, Dundee, between March 2008 and 2010.
He is accused of exposing his penis and trying to kiss her.
He also denies sexually assaulting the same person between May 2018 and February 2019 at the Salvation Army Halls in Castle Street, Aberdeen and Gorgie Road, Edinburgh
The trial, before Sheriff Derek Reekie, continues later this year.
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