TV personality Stephen Bear released from prison after serving 10-month sentence

Former reality TV star Stephen Bear has been released from prison after serving a 10-month sentence for sharing a private video without consent. Bear, originally from Loughton, Essex, had been incarcerated at HMP Brixton in London. He had been found guilty by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court of voyeurism and disclosing private sexual photographs and films.

Bear, who rose to fame after winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2016, denied all charges throughout the trial. The court heard that Bear and his ex-partner Georgia Harrison were caught on CCTV engaging in sexual activity in his garden in August 2020, and the footage was later uploaded to the platform OnlyFans. Bear either uploaded the footage himself or had it uploaded, ultimately profiting financially.

Upon release, Bear walked out of prison carrying two black holdall bags. Meanwhile, Harrison, who has waived her right to anonymity, is currently appearing on ITV‘s Love Island All Stars. She has been an active campaigner against revenge porn and is viewing her time on the show as a welcome break.

In June, the government introduced stronger legislation against the sharing of intimate images without consent, and Harrison has been a vocal supporter of this change. Being released on licence, Bear will be closely supervised by the Probation Service and can be recalled to prison if he breaches the conditions of his release.

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Source: The BBC