A Church of England priest who founded a controlling religious movement has been found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others from his congregation. Chris Brain, 69, was convicted following a retrial at Inner London Crown Court on 2 October 2026. He now faces a total of 22 sexual offences across two trials, having been found guilty of 17 indecent assaults against nine women at an earlier hearing.
Brain, formerly based in Wilmslow, Greater Manchester, remains in custody pending sentencing. Prosecutors demonstrated that he systematically exploited his position as a religious leader to abuse vulnerable members of his congregation, with one prosecutor describing him as having targeted "a staggering number of women."
How did the Nine O'Clock Service operate?
The Nine O'Clock Service, or NOS, began at St Thomas' Church in Crookes in 1984 and later relocated to Sheffield's Ponds Forge sports centre as membership expanded. The movement attracted hundreds of young people through its innovative nightclub-style approach to worship, which stood in stark contrast to traditional church services.
However, prosecutor Tim Clark KC told the court that the organisation "became a cult" in which members were systematically isolated from their families and social networks. Participants were made "utterly dependent" on Brain's leadership and lived under the threat of social exclusion if they questioned his authority or disobeyed his directives.
What were Brain's defence claims?
During the retrial, Brain claimed he had engaged in consensual sexual contact with two of his accusers, including the woman who alleged rape, and denied any sexual contact with the other two women. He rejected all charges against him, maintaining that any intimate contact had been mutual and voluntary.
What happened to the Nine O'Clock Service?
Brain resigned from holy orders in 1995 following complaints made against him, and the Nine O'Clock Service was subsequently dissolved. His departure marked the end of the movement that had once drawn hundreds of followers to its unconventional services.
What do authorities say about Brain?
South Yorkshire Police characterised Brain as a "devious and arrogant sexual predator who caused lasting harm to these women" following his latest convictions. The force's assessment reflects the severity of the abuse uncovered across the two trials and the calculated manner in which he manipulated his position of trust.
What happens next?
Brain is scheduled to be sentenced at a future date, though no specific sentencing hearing has yet been announced. The court will determine his punishment following the completion of legal proceedings.
Key Facts:
- Brain has been convicted of a total of 22 sexual offences across two trials involving 13 women
- The Nine O'Clock Service operated from 1984 until its dissolution in 1995
- Prosecutors established that Brain used his religious authority to isolate victims from support networks
- Brain remains in custody awaiting sentencing
