Priest denies controlling and abusive behaviour

Chris Brain is on trial at Inner London Crown Court

A former priest accused of abusing his role as the head of a cult church group to sexually assault 13 women has said he led "on consensus" and denied manipulation.

Chris Brain, 68, is accused of committing 37 sexual offences during his time with the Nine O'Clock Service (NOS), an influential evangelical church movement in Sheffield in the 1980s and 1990s.

Prosecutors allege he used his position to abuse a "staggering number" of women followers, exerting control over their lives and ostracising them.

Mr Brain, of Wilmslow in Cheshire, denies one count of rape and 36 counts of indecent assault between 1981 and 1995.

Giving evidence on Monday, Mr Brain denied claims he had controlled members of the congregation or forced them to sever ties with their friends and family.

He told jurors at Inner London Crown Court he could sometimes be "overbearing" but that was just his "direct Yorkshire style".

He told the court he was one of several leaders in the NOS but was "not often at the front of the congregation".

He said he had had more of a "producer" role, choosing the music, songs and lighting for services.

Asked by his barrister Iain Simkin KC if he had tried to start a cult, he said had not, adding that those involved were "completely anti-cult".

The court previously heard some of Mr Brain's alleged victims told police they felt they had been "brainwashed" and "groomed" by him.

Mr Simkin asked the defendant if he made members "obey" or if he turned them into "robots" for his "sexual desires". Mr Brain denied this.

'Not money-orientated'

He also denied claims made by prosecutor Tim Clark KC that a team was set up to "care for" Mr Brain - referred to as "the Lycra lovelies" or "the Lycra nuns".

The trial previously heard the defendant was "seen to be surrounded by attractive women" wearing lingerie or other revealing clothing at his home.

When asked about claims he had received massages from members of the congregation, he replied: "I just did. Why not?"

He told jurors that some massages could evolve into "sensual touching", which he said was between friends and "no big deal".

He denied touching anyone's breasts during massages while a part of NOS in Sheffield but admitted doing so after his involvement, adding it was consensual.

Questioned about his leadership style, he said: "I think most of the time I worked on consensus.

"At the time that's what I thought was most considerate, making sure you take everybody with you."

Mr Brain also denied having an extravagant lifestyle, saying he wore clothes that "everybody else wore" and he was "not money-orientated".

The court previously heard that large sums of money were spent finding the robes worn by Robert De Niro in film The Mission for Mr Brain to wear at his ordination.

Mr Simkin asked: "Did you wear that because you are an egomaniac who wanted to demonstrate power and control over members of the church?"

Mr Brain replied: "No."

NOS was initially celebrated by Church of England leaders for its nightclub-style services which incorporated live music and multimedia and attracted hundreds of young people to its congregation.

The trial continues.

Additional reporting by PA Media

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