from Premier
A former priest who led an influential evangelical “cult” in the Church of England has been found guilty of further offences against women in his congregation.
Christopher Brain led the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS) in Sheffield, a rave-inspired worship movement which ran between 1986 and 1995.
The 69 year-old was convicted on one count of rape and four counts of indecent assault during a five-week retrial at Inner London Crown Court on Friday. He had already been found guilty of 17 indecent assaults against nine women, during a trial last year.
Brain, previously from Cheshire, is now in custody ahead of sentencing at a later date.
Jurors heard how NOS “became a cult”, with Brain having “brainwashed” his victims into believing that he was a “mouthpiece of God”. Victims believed they would be failing as Christians if they did not carry out the sexual acts.
A number of victims were part of a “homebase team” which provided round-the-clock care for Brain, which involved sexual massages to put the NOS leader to bed.