Stephen Bear has been sentenced to 21 months in jail after being found guilty on two counts of revenge porn and one count of voyeurism.
Stephen, who found fame on MTV’s Ex on the Beach, was found guilty on two counts of revenge porn and one count of voyeurism at a jury trial in December, after uploading a video to his OnlyFans page of him and ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison having sex.
He was sentenced on 3 March to 21 months in jail, and has also been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years. A restraining order was also handed down that prevents Stephen contacting Georgia for five years.
Georgia bravely appeared in court to give a victim impact statement, and she has been praised for her courage and for speaking up.
(Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)
Responding to the sentencing of Stephen Bear, Ruth Davison, chief executive officer of domestic violence charity Refuge, said: “Intimate image abuse has a profound impact on survivors, and Refuge is pleased that the court has recognised this today.
“I hope that by the court imposing a custodial sentence, that a precedent will be set, and a warning sign sent to perpetrators that intimate image abuse is a very serious crime and that the justice system recognises that.”
She continued: “We know at Refuge that reporting and conviction rates are already incredibly low for this crime, but I hope today’s sentence will go some way towards encouraging women to come forward and seek justice for the crimes committed against them.”
Ruth also extended her “solidarity” to Georgia and shared hopes for “this sentence being the start of a process for her of moving forward”.
“To all survivors of intimate image abuse, I want to assure you that you are not alone, and that Refuge is here to support you,” she added.
(Image: Getty)
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An abuse lawyer has also shared their perspective on the sentencing along with what impact it will have on Georgia, perpetrators, and other survivors of revenge porn.
Zahra Awaiz-Bilal, Senior Associate at Bolt Burdon Kemp, said: “I am really pleased to hear that Stephen Bear has today been sentenced to 21 months in prison, for voyeurism and ‘revenge porn’, or image-based sexual abuse, offences. He will be subject to a restraining order; prohibiting contact with Ms Harrison, as well as being subject to sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.”
She went on to praise Georgia for “speaking up”, adding: “Georgia Harrison has done fantastic work by speaking up and out about what he did to her and I am sure that this will encourage more victims to come forward and report to the police to report what has happened to them.
“Her statements to Court today showed the devastating impact that revenge porn can have on all aspects of victims’ lives.”
(Image: Splash News and Pictures)
Zahra finished by saying: “This sentence should serve as a solid warning and deterrent to perpetrators of revenge porn: your actions are harmful to your victims. You will be prosecuted and you will face justice.”
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