Inside the Church of England's 'sex cult' | The Story

Times Radio

27 Aug 2025  The Story | PODCAST

Chris Brain, the leader of a Church of England ‘sex cult’ known s the Nine O'Clock Service, has been found guilty of 17 charges of indecent assault, three decades after its collapse. Why did the Church fail to learn lessons from the scandal?

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Guest: Sean O'Neill, Senior Writer, The Times.

Host: Manveen Rana.

Producer: Edward Drummond.

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A former priest accused of abusing members of a "cult-like" church group he led has been found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. Chris Brain, 68, was head of the Nine O'Clock Service (NOS), an influential evangelical movement based in Sheffield in the 1980s and 90s. Brain, of Wilmslow, in Cheshire, was convicted of the charges following a trial at Inner London Crown Court.

Read more: Chris Brain: ‘charismatic priest’ behind the Nine O’Clock Service