Former Sheffield Priest Chris Brain Convicted of Rape and Indecent Assault

Chris Brain, a former Church of England priest who founded the Nine O’Clock Service in Sheffield, has been convicted of rape and four counts of indecent assault following a retrial at Inner London Crown Court. These verdicts bring his total number of convictions to 22, following an initial trial in August 2025 where he was found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault against nine women. Prosecutors stated that Brain exploited his religious authority to coerce women into sexual acts by suggesting that refusal would be a failure of their Christian faith.

Following the verdict, the Bishop of Sheffield, Dr. Pete Wilcox, issued a statement commending the survivors for their courage in testifying twice. The Bishop reiterated his previous apology for the abuse of power that occurred within the Nine O’Clock Service, a ministry known for its nightclub-style worship events during the 1980s and 1990s. An independent safeguarding review, which had been delayed to avoid impacting the legal proceedings, is now set to commence to examine the Church’s historical response to the abuse. Brain remains in custody awaiting sentencing.