A 68-year-old former evangelical priest named Christopher Brain, hailing from Wilmslow, Cheshire, has been convicted of indecently assaulting nine women. Brain led the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS) movement, affiliated with the Church of England, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, from 1986 to 1995.
The court found Brain guilty of a total of 17 counts of indecent assault, although he was acquitted of 15 similar charges, with four counts still under deliberation, including one count of rape. The alleged assaults are reported to have occurred between 1981 and 1995. Initially, the NOS movement was widely regarded as pioneering, drawing in 500 to 600 attendees for Sunday worship services at 9 pm.
During the trial at Inner London Crown Court, it came to light that Brain’s ordination process was expedited, amid allegations of academic misconduct. Brain vehemently denied the accusations of sexual misconduct involving 13 women, encompassing one count of rape and 36 counts of indecent assault spanning the period from 1981 to 1995.
Despite the verdict being read in court, Brain appeared unmoved. The jury delivered the guilty verdict at Inner London Crown Court. Prosecutors highlighted that the evangelical group, initially perceived as progressive, eventually turned into a cult where Brain exploited his authority to dominate and isolate his female followers from their social circles.
Witnesses testified that Brain formed a team called the Lycra Lovelies or Lycra Nuns to cater to his needs, with reports of him being surrounded by women in lingerie at his residence. Furthermore, Brain was noted to have mimicked Robert De Niro’s attire from “The Mission” for his ordination ceremony in 1991.
In his defense, Brain claimed the massages he provided were initially intended to alleviate bodily tension but could escalate into what he called “sensual touching,” which he described as friendly and harmless. He admitted to touching individuals’ breasts post his involvement with NOS, asserting it was consensual. Brain expressed how the allegations had severely impacted his life and suggested the women might have exaggerated the incidents to frame a criminal case.
Dismissing the claims of controlling behavior, Brain refuted allegations of imposing dress codes or weight restrictions and discouraging social connections. The jury is set to reconvene at 10 am on Thursday to continue their deliberations.