Canada cult leader 'The Prophet' faces trial after allegedly abusing church members

The leader of a cult-like church in Ontario, Canada faced trial in court on Tuesday, May 10 over several charges including sexual assault.

Fred King, also known as "The Prophet" to his followers, allegedly abused church members by punching, kicking, and spitting on them. At times, he would even make some of them strip naked before the rest of the congregation.

The 57-year-old leader of the Church of Jesus Christ Restored is facing charges from as far back as 1978 until 2008 when he was the head of the cult-like organization. He assumed leadership upon the death of his father, Stanley, whose wives were also passed to him.

The charges filed against King include issuing death threats and sexual interference. In 2012, former church members accused him of physical and sexual assault. He disappeared when the allegations surfaced. He was found hiding in a hotel in Hamilton and was arrested in 2014.

One of his wives, Carol Christie from Owen Sound, revealed in her book, "Property: The True Story of a Polygamous Church Wife," that she suffered sexual abuse from King.

"(The church) was just filled with bizarre, insane everything. It was a living hell," she said. "Your faith is based on fear because you're terrorized psychologically."

She said she suffered 40 years of torment from King's father. She and other former members had filed a lawsuit against King and won.

The cult-like organization began at a place near Sauble Beach. In the early 1980s, it transferred to an old ski resort. King's doctrines, such as the practice of polygamy, apparently were influenced by the doctrine of the Latter Day Saint Movement, according to Toronto Sun.

Christie hopes that the trial will cause the organization to end.

The sentence on King will be handed down on Sept. 14. His brother, Judson King, similarly faces charges of sexual assault and others, and will stand trial in June.