The former leader of a "cult-like" church in Ontario has pleaded guilty to nine accounts of assault in court.
Fred King, 57, formerly led the Church of Jesus Christ Restored, a fundamentalist offshoot of the Latter Day Saints Movement, in Chatsworth, Ontario.
King admitted to forcing members of his church to strip in front of the rest of the congregation. He also admitted to spitting on people and kicking, punching or slapping church members, according to the Toronto Sun.
The details were revealed in an agreed statement of facts read in court by Crown Attorney Michael martin.
Sixteen other charges – including sexual assault, sexual interference and death threats – were withdrawn by the Crown.
King had been known as 'The Prophet' by his followers at the church he led from 1978 to 2008.
He was alleged to have had several wives, who were handed down from his father, Stan King, who led the church before him.
King disappeared in 2012 after allegations of sexual and physical assault were made by former members.
Carol Christie, a former church member who spent 40 years brainwashed by Stan King, spoke to police and media in late 2012 and later wrote a book about the polygamy and sexual abuse in the church.
King was arrested in April 2014, after a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest.
His brother, Judson King, will stand trial in June on charges of sexual assault, assault and assault with a weapon.
