A former Church of England priest who led a controversial group known as the Nine O’Clock Service has been found guilty of raping a woman and sexually assaulting 12 others. Chris Brain, 69, was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of one count of rape and four counts of indecent assault, adding to the 17 indecent assault convictions he received following a trial last year.
The court heard that Brain established a “cult”-like environment within the Sheffield-based ministry during the 1980s and 1990s. Members were allegedly encouraged to isolate themselves from family and friends, becoming entirely dependent on Brain and living in fear of ostracism.
Prosecutor Tim Clark KC described Brain as having abused his clerical position to sexually assault “a staggering number of women from his congregation.” Following the latest verdicts, South Yorkshire Police characterized him as a “devious and arrogant sexual predator who caused lasting harm to these women.” Brain is currently in custody awaiting sentencing.
Evidence presented during the retrial detailed that several victims were part of a “homebase team” tasked with caring for Brain around the clock at his family home. This care reportedly included expectations to “put him to bed” with sexual massages. One woman testified that Brain raped her between 1981 and 1984 after inviting her to his house while his wife was away. Another victim stated she was assaulted while traumatized after spending hours assisting at the Hillsborough disaster site.
Brain, formerly of Wilmslow in Greater Manchester, stepped down from his priesthood in 1995 when allegations regarding his conduct first became public. In an BBC documentary from that year, he admitted to sexual activity with female members of the group but denied it constituted abuse, claiming the acts were for “closeness and affection.” During the current proceedings, he accepted having sexual contact with some women but maintained that all encounters were consensual.
In a statement released after the Friday verdicts, a victim from the earlier trial said the group had waited more than 30 years for justice. She criticized the Church of England for ignoring warning signs and failing in its duty of care, stating that the delay should be a “cause of great shame” for the institution.
The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Rev Dr Pete Wilcox, issued an unreserved apology for “institutional failures” and the abuse of power within the Nine O’Clock Service. He expressed sympathy for the women who showed courage by giving evidence twice. Richard Scorer, a lawyer representing the victims in civil action against the Church, called Brain a “serial abuser” who was fast-tracked, supported, and protected by church leadership.
Julie Moss, a senior crown prosecutor, described the case as a “disturbing campaign of manipulation and abuse” where victims were isolated and made to feel that resisting Brain reflected personal spiritual failings. Judge Freya Newbury indicated that victims will have the opportunity to deliver impact statements at the upcoming sentencing hearing, which is expected to last two days.
How did the church leadership protect him for so long? Institutional failure at its worst.
I remember this case from the news. Just awful. Glad it’s finally over.
This is horrifying. Thirty years for justice shows how broken the system was back then.