Former Sheffield priest found guilty of historical sexual offences against nine women
Christopher Brain used to lead the Nine O'Clock Service movement in South Yorkshire
Last updated 20th Aug 2025
A former priest who was the leader of evangelical movement the Nine O'Clock Service has been found guilty of sexual offences against nine women.
Christopher Brain, 68, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was the leader of the Nine O'Clock Service (NOS), part of the Church of England, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, between 1986 and 1995.
He was found guilty by a jury at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday of 17 counts of indecent assault during the years he led the movement.
The jury cleared him of 15 counts of indecent assault and are still deliberating on four counts of indecent assault and one of rape.
Brain appeared unmoved in the dock as the verdicts were read out.
Prosecutors previously told jurors that the NOS group was aimed at younger people and "presented itself to the outside world as a progressive force for good".
They said NOS became a cult in which Brain abused his position to exert control over the lives of his female followers and ostracised them from friends and family.
The court previously heard that a "homebase team" was set up to "care for" Brain - referred to as "the Lycra Lovelies" or "the Lycra Nuns" - and witnesses reported seeing the defendant surrounded by attractive women in lingerie at his home, looking after his needs.
Prosecutor Tim Clark KC previously gave an overview of the offences, relaying accounts from complainants who made various claims, including that Brain groomed them and would touch them during massages.
Brain told jurors that some massages, intended to be for "tensions" on his body, could evolve into "sensual touching", which he said was between friends and "no big deal".
He denied touching anyone's breasts during massages while a part of NOS in Sheffield, but admitted doing so after his involvement. Brain said this was consensual and not forced.
Brain rejected evidence from alleged victims that he had tried to control people by making them wear the same clothing or lose weight, or that he discouraged them from maintaining friendships.
Jurors will return to court at 10am on Thursday to continue deliberations.
Jonathan Foster was the North of England Correspondent for the Independent newspaper back when the Nine O'clock Service was up & running:
"The scandal broke because people started complaining to the church authorities.
"The church authorities had trusted it to be an evangelical movement.
"I think these authorities were shocked - they had indulged the Nine O'clock service - but then when people started making quite serious allegations - they felt they had to act, which's when it got shut down.
"The seeds of its demise was that it became a cult.
"Because it was a cult, you didn't get to meet people who were candid in their accounts of what was going on.
"So, I think most people were mystified, curious, intrigued, and surprised - but it's taken a long time for the detail of what actually happened to emerge.
"I think it's also taken so long because you're dealing with some very badly damaged people - who've needed all sorts of counselling.
"It's one thing to counsel people who've been victims of that abuse, but then to prepare them and encourage them to become witnesses in a criminal prosecution is another matter altogether.
"I am surprised though that this case hasn't come to court before now."
The Nine O' Clock Service started at St. Thomas' Church in Crookes - before moving on to Ponds Forge in the centre of Sheffield - until it was shut down in 1995.
Today's verdict brings an end to a lengthy court trial at Inner London Crown Court - which began in late June.