A priest who led an evangelical movement in the 1980s and 1990s has appeared in court to face multiple allegations of sexual offences against former members of a church congregation.
In Sheffield, the Nine O’Clock Service movement was directed by the Reverend Christopher Brain from 1986 until 1995.
Brain faced a total of 34 accusations related to 11 women during his four-minute appearance at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
According to authorities, the charges are related to claims of sexual offences against women who had joined the organisation.
Brain, 66, of Park Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, is accused of 33 instances of indecent assault and one act of rape, all of which are said to have occurred between 1981 and 1995.
Before moving to the Ponds Forge sports complex in the heart of Sheffield, the Nine O’Clock Service was first conducted at St. Thomas’s Church in the Crookes neighbourhood.
For the brief hearing, Bearded Brain stood in the glass-fronted dock dressed in a grey suit and a black top with an open neck.
He said his name, his birthdate, and his residence.
He was granted unconditional bail by District Judge Marcus Waite, who also directed him to return to Sheffield Crown Court on April 15.
On Monday, the court heard the entire reading of only the rape charge.
The judge informed Brain that the other 33 counts would also be moved and that because this accusation was so serious, a crown court judge would need to handle it.
Among the 33 counts of indecent assault are some that span several distinct claimed instances, including several that include claims of assault during massages.
Wearing a medical mask, Brain and his lawyer departed the courthouse.
