I was in one of the UK's most abusive cults for 5 years - and called a traitor when I left...

MAN'S EXPERIENCE INSIDE THE 'JESUS ARMY'

- By Kali Lindsay

A NORTH East man has given a harrowing insight into life inside one of the UK’s most notorious cults.

John Everett was a member of the Jesus Fellowship Church - known more commonly as the Jesus Army - between 1977 and 1982.

Joining the ‘white-hot’ hub of the JFC, the New Creation Christian Community, members were made to sell their possessions - including former homes - and donate the proceeds to a central community trust fund.

The cult, which is the focus of new BBC documentary Inside the Cult of the Jesus Army, claimed to offer a safe haven to members.

But the truth was far more sinister as children were caned with the birch and historic sexual abuse cases came to light after the death of leader Noel Stanton in 2009.

John said: “A lot of the bad press we had in the past focused on the fact children used to be rodded.

“They were given corporal punishment with the use of the birch twig.

“That was stopped in the 1990s but up until then we were taught if we spared the rod we would spoil the child.

“There were one or two occasions where I was present when some parents mercilessly caned their children.

“| think some parents saw it as a loving form of discipline.

“It was all part of the culture that was created that allowed people to behave abusively and cover up their abuses because they were swept under the carpet of the leadership who wanted to convey the impression that the fellowship of the Jesus Army was a wonderful beacon to lost people.