Jesus Army sect hit with abuse claims

HUNDREDS of people are believed to be seeking damages from the Jesus Army religious sect over claims of historic physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Lawyers are reportedly acting for up to 200 claimants, and at least five church elders have been jailed for sexual abuse over the last few years.

Members of the Jesus Army, also known as the Jesus Fellowship Church, voted to close it and are setting up a ‘redress’ scheme to compensate anyone abused.

The new claims are said to involve rape, bullying, brainwashing and financial bondage, the BBC reported.

Founded in Northamptonshire in 1969 by preacher Noel Stanton, the church had more than 2,500 members – many of whom lived in communal housing.

Those who joined were forced to participate in forms of intense worship. ‘Loud and scary exorcisms’ often took place at Jesus Army sites as the congregation sought to drive out sin. One former member said she remembers ‘a man manifesting next to me, shouting, screaming, retching and being sick on the floor’.

A spokesman for the Jesus Fellowship Church said: ‘We are deeply sorry, unreservedly apologising to these people.’ Northamptonshire Police have launched an investigation into the alleged abuse.