Chris Brain, the former leader of the Nine O'Clock Service (NOS), has been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. The verdict was delivered at Inner London Crown Court, where Brain, 68, faced accusations of abusing his position within the influential evangelical movement based in Sheffield during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Cult-Like Control and Abuse

The NOS, initially celebrated for its nightclub-style services aimed at attracting young people, was later described in court as a cult-like group. Prosecutors argued that Brain exploited his authority to manipulate and control female members, isolating them from their families and friends. The court heard that a "homebase team," derogatorily referred to as the "Lycra lovelies" or "Lycra nuns," was formed to cater to Brain's personal needs, often involving inappropriate and sexual activities.

Trial and Verdict

During the trial, prosecutor Tim Clark KC detailed how Brain allegedly groomed women, using massages as a pretext for indecent acts. Despite Brain's claims that these interactions were consensual and harmless, the jury found him guilty on 17 counts. However, he was acquitted of 15 other charges, and deliberations continue on four additional counts of indecent assault and one count of rape.

A Fall from Grace

The NOS, which began in 1986, was initially endorsed by Church of England leaders, leading to Brain's rapid ordination in 1991. However, by 1995, the group dissolved amid allegations of Brain's misconduct. In a BBC documentary aired that year, Brain admitted to improper conduct with several women, prompting his resignation from the priesthood just days before the broadcast.