Sheffield priest Chris Brain refused to “command” the members of the church

A former priest accused him of misusing his role as a head of a cult church group, with 13 women for sexual harassment that they led “unanimous on” and denied manipulation.

Chris Brain, 68, has accused 37 sexual offenses during his time with Seva (NOS) with an impressive Group Church movement in Sheffield in the 1980s and 1990s.

Prosecutors allege that they used their position to misuse the “stagnant number” of female followers, control and harass their lives.

In the Cheshire, Mr. Brain of Wilmslo denied a count of rape and 36 counting of indecent attacks between 1981 and 1995.

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

He told the gamblers in the Inner London Crown Court that he could sometimes be “overbering”, but it was just his “direct Yorkshire Style”.

He also said that he was “not often in front of the congregation” and was one of the many leaders in the NOS.

He said that he had more role “producer”, selected music, songs and lighting for services.

Asked by his barrister Ian Simkin KC, he was asked if he tried to start a creed, he said that he was not involved, those who were involved were “completely cultural”.

The court had earlier heard some of the alleged victims of Mr. Brain that the police said they felt that they had “brainwash” and “groom” by them.

Mr. Simkin asked the defendant whether she makes members “command” or if she turns them into “robot” for “sexual desires”. Mr. Brain denied this.

Asked whether members could work, the defendant said: “Yes, of course. Some of them had normal jobs.”

Questioned about his leadership style, he said: “I think most of the time I worked on consensus. At that time that I thought was the most thoughtful, making sure that you take everyone with you.”

Mr. Brain also denied being an extraordinary lifestyle, saying that he wore clothes that “everyone wore” and he was “not money-oriented”.

Mr. Simkin asked if he “participated” to others to pay for his lifestyle, and the defendant replied: “No.”

The NOS was initially observed by the Church of England leaders for his nightclub-style services, including live music and multimedia and attracted hundreds of youth into its congregation.

The test is going on.