Chris Brain is to face a retrial regarding 4 charges of indecent assault and one in every of rape after a jury failed to succeed in a verdict on the allegations.
Brain, 68, got here to prominence because the man behind the Nine O’Clock Service (NOS) in Sheffield.
NOS was founded by Brain in 1986 with the aim of appealing to young people. It blended live music and multimedia, and attracted tons of of young people in its heyday.
It was eventually wound down in 1995 amid allegations of sexual abuse. Brain was last month found guilty of 17 indecent assaults against nine women, although he was acquitted of one other 15 counts of indecent assault. He denied the entire allegations.
The retrial is anticipated to happen in September next yr.
The outstanding charges relate to alleged assaults made against women who were a part of the NOS.
During the initial trial, the court heard claims that Brain misused his position to prey on vulnerable women within the congregation.
One woman claimed she had been assaulted by Brain after coming back from a traumatic night spent helping families to discover victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Prosecutors alleged through the trial that NOS had develop into a “cult” and that “a staggering number” of girls from the congregation were targeted.
Brain denied the entire allegations, telling the court that any sexual encounters with women within the NOS movement were consensual.
Following the trial, the Bishop of Sheffield, Pete Wilcox, said: “As Bishop of Sheffield, I need to talk on to the survivors, their families and friends, and to everyone affected by these events. I’m deeply sorry for the harm you will have suffered.
“I recognise that a mixed verdict will be profoundly painful: for some it might bring a measure of justice and relief, and for others it’s going to feel incomplete, confusing, or retraumatising. Those reactions are comprehensible and I’m truly sorry for the continued hurt this brings.
“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 another 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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