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A former priest, Chris Brain, has been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. Brain, 68, was the leader of the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS), an influential evangelical movement based in Sheffield during the 1980s and 90s. The verdict was delivered following a trial at Inner London Crown Court, where Brain was also acquitted of 15 other charges of indecent assault. Jurors are still deliberating on four counts of indecent assault and one charge of rape.
During the trial, prosecutor Tim Clark KC revealed that some of the women who were abused were recruited to a “homebase team” tasked with taking care of Brain and his family, leading to the group being dubbed the “Lycra lovelies” or the “Lycra nuns” by NOS members. These women were required to perform household chores at Brain’s home and allegedly engage in sexual acts with him. Despite the evidence presented, Brain maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
The NOS was initially praised by Church of England leaders for its innovative nightclub-style services that attracted a large number of young people in Sheffield. Due to the group’s success, Brain’s ordination as a priest was fast-tracked in 1991, with the ceremony featuring robes worn by actor Robert De Niro in the film The Mission. However, the NOS disbanded in 1995 following concerns about Brain’s conduct. In the same year, a BBC documentary aired where Brain admitted to engaging in inappropriate sexual behavior with multiple women, leading to his resignation from the Church two days before the program was shown.
Despite the controversy surrounding the NOS and Brain’s actions, the group’s impact was significant in the region during its time. The case against Brain has shed light on the abusive behavior that occurred within the NOS and the exploitation of its members. As the jury continues to deliberate on the remaining charges, the outcome of the trial will determine the accountability and consequences for the former priest’s actions
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