Stephen Bear found guilty in sex tape trial
Topics: News
Claire Reid
Featured Image Credit: PA/ Almay
Stephen Bear has been found guilty in his sex tape trial against Georgia Harrison.
The jury gave unanimous verdicts on the two counts of disclosing private sexual images and a majority verdict of 10-2 on the count of voyeurism.
The former Big Brother star appeared in court last week where he was accused of sharing a CCTV video of him Harrison - his ex partner - having sex on his OnlyFans account without her permission.
Love Island star Harrison, who waived her right to anonymity, told Chelmsford Crown Court she had never consented to being record while she had consensual sex with Bear and that she hadn’t given permission for it to be shared online.
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The court also heard that Bear's OnlyFans subscription fee increased after the footage was allegedly uploaded.
Harrison was in court today (13 December) to hear the jury's verdict, where she was supported by her mother.
In a statement after today’s verdict was read out, Harrison said: "We are living in a time where so much of our lives and our children’s lives are spent online and it is so important that individuals are protected in the virtual world just as they are in reality.
"Social media has given us the egalitarian belief that we are all publishers but what it hasn’t done is regulate what we should responsibly publish.
"I hope me taking a stand gives other men and women who have fallen victim to revenge porn the courage to seek justice and most importantly show them that they have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
"I have felt ashamed, hurt, violated, even broken at times but today I stand here feeling empowered, grateful and a huge sense of unity with all of those who have reached out to support me throughout this ordeal."
Bear appeared to show no reaction when the verdict was read out, but against the advice of his legal representative, Bear gave a short statement while still in court.
Addressing the court, he said: "My barrister said not to but it's nothing bad. In my opinion from the beginning it was never a fair trial, what the press were saying about me I was always fighting a losing battle, and it is what it is."
In response to his comments, the judge said: "Thank you for that observation."
Bear has been released on bail and will be sentenced next month.