Chris Brain: Sheffield vicar faces 34 sex offence charges against church congregation members including rape

The radical Anglican group, which reached around 400 members, made headlines in the nineties.
By Chloe Aslett
Published 1st Feb 2024, 16:00 GMT
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A priest has been summonsed to court to face multiple counts of sexual offences against former members of a church congregation in Sheffield.

The Rev Christopher Brain, who led an Evangelical movement called the Nine O’Clock Service in the city between 1986 and 1995, faces 34 charges in relation to 11 victims.

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Brain, now 66, of Park Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, is facing one count of rape and 33 counts of indecent assault alleged to have been committed between 1981 and 1995. 

The Nine O’Clock Service was initially held at St Thomas’s Church in Crookes, before later moving to Ponds Forge in the city centre.

Chris Brain (Image: BBC Everyman - Breach of Faith documentary. Copyright protected under fair use for the purpose of reporting current events)Chris Brain (Image: BBC Everyman - Breach of Faith documentary. Copyright protected under fair use for the purpose of reporting current events)
Chris Brain (Image: BBC Everyman - Breach of Faith documentary. Copyright protected under fair use for the purpose of reporting current events)

The charges relate to allegations of sexual offences committed against women who had joined the movement.

The radical Anglican group, which reached around 400 members, made headlines in the nineties.

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Chief Superintendent Lindsey Butterfield, District Commander for Sheffield, said: “These charges follow a complex and wide-ranging investigation into events dating back 30 or more years.

“The police investigation was launched in 2020, when a number of victims came forward to report the allegations to us. Since this time, an investigation team has been working hard to build up a full picture of what is reported to have happened.

St Thomas's Church, Crookes.St Thomas's Church, Crookes.
St Thomas's Church, Crookes.

“We understand this is a concerning case and one which will have an impact upon individuals and communities. We will continue to provide appropriate support and updates to those involved.”

A woman previously arrested in connection to the case remains under investigation.

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Brain will appear in Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on March 18.

As the investigation continues, police are appealing for any further potential victims or witnesses who may not yet have spoken to police to come forward. 

You can pass information to them via the online live chat, online portal, or by calling 101. You can stay anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111 or via an online form.

Please quote investigation number 14/174466/19 when you get in touch.

Related topics:SheffieldPolice