A hearing shall be held on Thursday to find out whether there must be a re-trial for five charges against disgraced ex-priest Chris Brain.
Brain, the 68-year-old founding father of the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS), was found guilty earlier this month of 17 counts of indecent assault following a trial on the Inner London Crown Court.
He was cleared of a further 15 charges of indecent assault however the jury of 11 was discharged on Thursday after failing to achieve a choice on one charge of rape and an additional 4 counts of indecent assault.
Brain denied all the costs against him.
The hearing scheduled for 4 September will resolve whether there are grounds for a re-trial of the five charges that the jury couldn’t reach a choice on.
Brain founded the youth-orientated NOS in 1986 and it was attended by tons of of young people while in operation throughout the late 80s and early 90s. It was closed down in 1995 after allegations of sexual abuse surfaced.
Prosecutors branded NOS a “cult” throughout the trial and said that Brain had abused his position to prey on vulnerable young women within the congregation.
The court heard from witnesses who said that Brain would touch them while receiving massages.
Brain denied the accusations and claimed that NOS had been “a free, open, really caring, very fun environment”.
The Church of England’s Lead Safeguarding Bishop, Joanne Grenfell, said it was “an appalling abuse of power in leadership that ought to never have happened” and that Brain’s conviction had resulted in “lasting damage” for victims.
“We are truly sorry,” she said.
“The National Safeguarding Team has worked closely with the diocese of Sheffield because the women got here forward including the continuing offer of support.”
The Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox, said he was “deeply sorry for the harm” suffered by victims.
“I recognise that a mixed verdict might be profoundly painful: for some it could bring a measure of justice and relief, and for others it is going to feel incomplete, confusing, or retraumatising. Those reactions are comprehensible and I’m truly sorry for the continued hurt this brings,” he said.
“What happened was an appalling abuse of power and leadership that ought to never have occurred. Where concerns were raised previously and weren’t acted upon properly, that was a failing of the Church. For those institutional failures I offer an unreserved apology.
“We are committed to supporting those affected. The Diocese will proceed to cooperate fully with the police and some other authorities.”
Anyone who needs help or who has information to share is invited to contact the Diocese of Sheffield Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@sheffield.anglican.org or visit: sheffield.anglican.org/safeguarding or access the independent support set out here: sheffdio.org/nossupport
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