Prosecutors say the evangelical movement became a cult around Christopher Brain, with a “homebase team” set up to care for him known as the Lycra Lovelies or the Lycra Nuns
A former evangelical priest has been found guilty of indecent assault against nine women.
Christopher Brain, 68, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was the leader of the movement Nine O’Clock Service (NOS), part of the Church of England, in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, between 1986 and 1995.
He was found guilty of a horrific number of sexual offences – 17 counts of indecent assault. The jury cleared him of 15 counts of the same charge and is still deliberating over four counts. They are also working out if they will find him guilty of one count of rape.
The alleged incidents are believed to have taken place between 1981 and 1995. The NOS movement was initially seen as a “ground-breaking” success and attracted between 500 to 600 people to worship at 9pm on Sundays.
Inner London Crown Court also heard Brain’s ordination was “fast-tracked” and there are claims he cheated in his exams.
Brain, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, denied committing sexual offences against 13 women, including one count of rape and 36 counts of indecent assault between 1981 and 1995.
He appeared unmoved in the dock as the verdicts were read out.
He was found guilty by a jury at Inner London Crown Court on Wednesday.
Prosecutors previously told jurors that the evangelical group was aimed at younger people and “presented itself to the outside world as a progressive force for good”.
But it became a cult in which Brain abused his position to control the lives of his female followers and ostracised them from friends and family, prosecutors say.
The court heard that a “homebase team” referred to as the Lycra Lovelies or the Lycra Nuns, was set up to care for Brain. Witnesses reported seeing the defendant surrounded by women in lingerie at his home, caring for him.
The court hear how Brain wore the same cassock as Robert De Niro in The Mission for his ordination ceremony in 1991.
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.
In an attempt to defend himself, Brain told jurors that the massages were for “tensions” in his body but could evolve into “sensual touching,” which he said was between friends and “no big deal.”
He denied touching anyone’s breasts during these massages while part of NOS but admitted doing so after he left. He also said this was consensual and not forced.
Brain said the allegations had “basically destroyed my life” and suggested the women had “to exaggerate these things to make it either sexual or controlling” in order “to make a criminal case”.
He 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.