Defendant is convicted of rape and sexual assault against 13 women across 22 offences at his Sheffield 'cult' church

From the Newshound archive · first published 2 October 2026 · last updated 3 October 2026.

Chris Brain, 69, has been found guilty of one count of rape and four counts of sexual assault against women who attended his Nine O'Clock Service in Sheffield, bringing his total convictions to 22 sexual offences against 13 women. Brain used his position as leader of the Church of England evangelical movement — revered by followers as 'the mouthpiece of God' — to force victims into submitting to his abuse. The Crown Prosecution Service said after the verdict: 'This was not consent. It was forced submission.' He will be remanded in custody to await sentencing before Judge Freya Newbery.

Brain had already been convicted last August of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women before Friday's fresh guilty verdicts.

Prosecutors described how Brain surrounded himself with young women in lycra and lingerie, ordering some to give him massages at his home while stripping members of their wages into a 'common purse'.

One associate compared Brain to 'Jimmy Savile at the BBC', saying NOS's popularity with young people had made him the Church of England's 'golden boy'.