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Priest accused of 'staggering number' of sex assaults had team of 'attractive women' called 'Lycra Nuns', court hears
The leader of a cult-like evangelical church group abused his position to sexually assault a "staggering number of women from his congregation," a court has heard.
Chris Brain, 68, was the head of the "very well-known" and "vibrant" Nine O'Clock Service (NOS) in Sheffield in the 1980s and 1990s, a jury was told. Prosecutor Tim Clark KC told Inner London Crown Court services were "different from the usual" Church of England worship, aimed at younger people and featuring multimedia, scantily dressed women and a live band.
He said the group, which presented itself as a "progressive force for good" involved with the local community and in environmental concerns, was initially seen as a "success story". But he added: "In truth, NOS became a closed and controlled group which the defendant dominated and abused his position first as the leader and then as an ordained priest to sexually assault a staggering number of women from his congregation." Former priest Brain, from Wilmslow, in Cheshire, is standing trial accused of committing sexual offences against 13 women.
He denies one count of rape and 36 counts of indecent assault between 1981 and 1995. The court heard Brain, who had led a Christian rock band called Present Tense, became the leader of NOS, named because its services were held at 9pm on Sundays.
The prosecutor said it was a "highly disciplined and professional set up.
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