London, Aug 20(HS):

Former priest Chris Brain, once a rising star in the Church of England and founder of the cult-influenced evangelical movement Nine O’Clock Service (NOS), has been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women.

The 68-year-old, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, was convicted at Inner London Crown Court after a six-week trial. The jury, however, cleared him of 15 other counts, while deliberations continue on an additional four assaults and one rape charge.

Brain, who showed no reaction as the verdicts were delivered, led NOS in Sheffield during the 1980s and 90s. Initially hailed for its nightclub-style worship that drew hundreds of young people, the movement was fast-tracked by church leaders eager to tap into its appeal. Brain was ordained in 1991 — even donning robes once worn by Robert De Niro in The Mission for his ceremony.

But the court heard that Brain exploited his influence, surrounding himself with women from a so-called “homebase team,” known among members as the “Lycra lovelies” or “Lycra nuns.” Prosecutors said these women were drawn into a regime of household service, massages, and sexual exploitation disguised as spiritual intimacy.

The once-celebrated congregation collapsed in 1995 after mounting concerns. In a BBC documentary that year, Brain admitted to “improper sexual conduct” with multiple female members, resigning his holy orders just days before the broadcast.

Prosecutor Tim Clark KC described a “staggering pattern” of abuse masked under the guise of friendship and spirituality.

The jury is due to return Thursday to deliver verdicts on the remaining charges.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar