Christopher Brain, a former priest of the Church of England and founder of the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS) in Sheffield, has been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault on nine women at the Inner London Crown Court. The 20 August 2025 verdict comes after a protracted high-profile trial revealing years of abuse masked behind a movement once celebrated for its innovation in Anglican ministry.
Brain (68) who currently resides in Wilmslow, Cheshire, showed no visible reaction as he heard the jury’s decision on Wednesday, reports from the court stated. The jury found him guilty on 17 indecent assault charges, cleared him of another 15, and continues to deliberate on an additional four indecent assault allegations and one rape charge. The trial, which lasted six weeks, detailed a pattern of manipulation and exploitation by Brain under the guise of evangelical outreach.
Originally launched in 1986 at St Thomas’ Church, Crookes, Sheffield, the NOS quickly gained national attention for its nightclub-style worship designed to attract young people to the Church. Services featured music, lights, and a nightclub atmosphere, all woven into Anglican liturgy. At its peak in the late 80s and early 90s, NOS drew hundreds each week and was lauded as a “ground-breaking” way to connect with youth. Brain, whose ordination was fast-tracked amid NOS’s early success, was praised by senior Church leaders at the time.
Testimony during the trial described how Brain created a closed, cult-like environment. Prosecutors alleged that NOS members were organized into “discipleship” cells and became isolated from their friends and family, utterly dependent on the group and seeking Brain’s approval. Several witnesses referred to a “homebase team,” a group of young women informally called the “Lycra Lovelies” who performed domestic chores and, in many instances, were coerced into providing sexual favors to “help him unwind.” These women recounted incidents of assault at Brain’s home, often while his wife and others were present.
The pattern of abuse, the court heard, ranged from unwanted sexual advances to systematic manipulation, with Brain often justifying his actions as necessary for “healing” or “spiritual growth.” In one deeply troubling instance, a woman recounted being assaulted by Brain after she returned from helping families identify victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
NOS’s reputation unraveled in 1995 after the first formal complaints came to light, leading to Brain’s resignation from holy orders and the closure of the ministry. The Diocese of Sheffield, responding to the verdict, acknowledged the pain and trauma experienced by the survivors and offered support resources, while refraining from further comment until the final outstanding charges are resolved.
Throughout the trial, Brain denied all allegations, insisting that sexual encounters with group members had been consensual and denied claims of grooming or undue influence. He depicted NOS as a caring, creative community, not a manipulative or coercive cult. However, the jury was not persuaded by his defense, citing the testimony of multiple survivors as evidence of Brain’s sustained, exploitative behavior over nearly a decade.
The jury is scheduled to continue deliberations Thursday on the unresolved charges, including one count of rape and four of indecent assault. Sentencing will follow the conclusion of all deliberations.
The Church of England Media Centre released a statement after the verdict was announced, stating: “The jury at the Inner London Crown Court today returned verdicts on 32 of the 37 charges against Chris Brain comprising guilty and not guilty outcomes in respect of the indecent assault charges. As the remaining five charges are still being considered by the jury we will comment further when the trial is fully completed.”
“We recognise this will be a difficult time for many and support details can be accessed here: Additional Support Options.”