London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Jul 13, 2026

Stephen Bear: Revenge porn prison sentence 'sends clear message'

Stephen Bear: Revenge porn prison sentence 'sends clear message'

It's been nearly three years since Georgia Harrison was filmed without her permission having sex.

The perpetrator, fellow reality TV personality Stephen Bear, was sentenced to 21 months in prison on Friday after being found guilty of voyeurism and sharing private sexual videos without consent.

Stephen Bear arriving for sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court


A former police officer who helped bring the case to trial says Bear's prison sentence "sends a clear message".

Michelle Roycroft, who now works with victims of sexual abuse, harassment and stalking, was contacted by Ms Harrison when she first realised Bear had put a video of them having sex on subscription site OnlyFans and profited from it.

"Georgia wanted to make sure that everybody understood that this was an offence that wasn't OK and that she could stand up to him," Ms Roycroft tells the BBC.

"I wanted to encourage her because she has a platform and she's an amazing young woman," she adds.

Ms Harrison had the right to remain anonymous but chose to speak out, in the hope it would encourage other victims of so-called revenge porn to come forward.

Speaking outside court on Friday, Ms Harrison said she was "happy and relieved that this matter is finally over".

"Today's sentence is a vindication of what I've been put through, and sends a clear message that the police and the courts take this matter very seriously," she said.

Shortly after Bear was convicted, Ms Harrison told the BBC that knowing videos of her were being circulated online made her "feel completely worthless".

"People are looking at you and having sexual gratification over you and it's completely out of your control," she added.

Due to Bear and Ms Harrison's profiles as former contestants on shows such as Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother, this has become one of the most high-profile cases of its kind in the UK.

Revenge porn, which is also called non-consensual pornography or image-based sexual abuse, was made illegal in 2015.

Stephen Bear turned up to court each day in a hired Rolls Royce


It remains quite difficult to prosecute because it has to be proven that the perpetrator intended to cause distress or embarrassment when sending explicit photos or videos.

An amendment to the law that would remove this stipulation was suggested as part of the Online Safety Bill in November.

Ms Roycroft, who has also helped set up a personal safety app for women, says Ms Harrison's case shows victims should not be deterred from coming forward despite the intricacies of the law.

"People need to remember it's a criminal conviction that will affect the rest of [the perpetrator's] life - every time they apply for a job or go abroad," she says.

"It's a stain on their character and quite rightly so."


'We admire Georgia'


During the trial of Bear, 33, the court heard he was a "self-obsessed show off", and he was seen arriving in court each day in a hired Rolls Royce and large fur coat.

"He believes that he hasn't done anything wrong and everyone's against him," Ms Roycroft adds.

"But this is an offence that you will be arrested for and dealt with [by the Crown Prosecution Service]".

Following the sentencing, Hannah von Dadelszen, deputy chief crown prosecutor for CPS East of England said: "Although she lives a public life, Georgia Harrison has the right to privacy.

"But that was taken away by Bear to make money in the most egregious way. Whether or not sex is consensual, it is a crime to share or threaten to share sexual images without consent to cause distress."

Georgia Harrison's arrival at court on Friday


The Women's Aid charity has been following the case closely, and its chief executive Farah Nazeer tells the BBC she is "pleased" that a prison sentence has been handed down.

"Image-based sexual abuse, which can also be known as 'revenge porn', has a long-lasting and traumatic impact on women," she says.

"This outcome sends the right message to young people, that this abuse is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated.

"We admire Georgia Harrison for speaking so openly about her experiences and for giving other women and girls the courage to find the support they need."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
United Kingdom Financial Markets Monitor Business Response to Economic Policy Changes
Scottish Renewable Energy Expansion Highlights Need for Faster Grid Development
Wales and Regions Strengthen Focus on Economic Development Through Tourism and Investment
Retail Industry Warns High Street Businesses Remain Under Pressure
Police Chiefs Highlight Growing Challenges Managing Protests and Public Order
Agriculture Leaders Seek Clarity on Post-Brexit Farming Support and Environmental Rules
Transport Unions Warn of Further Industrial Action Over Pay and Working Conditions
Welsh Tourism Sector Reports Strong Growth Driven by Domestic and International Visitors
National Infrastructure Review Gains Support as Leaders Seek Faster Project Delivery
Financial Markets Assess Impact of United Kingdom Corporate Tax Policy Changes
Northern Ireland Assembly Debates Cross-Border Trade and Infrastructure Cooperation Plans
Government Opens Consultations on Housing Reform and Planning System Changes
Scottish Government Faces Pressure to Accelerate Offshore Wind and Grid Expansion
National Energy System Operator Warns Grid Investment Is Needed for Future Electricity Demand Growth
United Kingdom Research Council Invests in Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology Innovation Hubs
United Kingdom Expands Oversight of Skilled Worker Visa Sponsors Amid Migration Debate
Cross-Party MPs Call for National Infrastructure Strategy Review to Accelerate Economic Growth
Prime Minister Announces One Billion Pound NHS Funding Package Ahead of Winter Pressures
Bank of England Signals Cautious Approach to Interest Rates as Inflation Remains Above Forecasts
World Cup Visitors Turn American Big-Box Stores Into Souvenir Stops
Netflix Weighs Always-On Channels, Bundles and Short-Form Video
Passenger Is Pulled Partly Outside Ryanair Jet After Window Fails Mid-Flight
Innovation-led growth strategy
Public service reform pressure
Defence and industrial security
Labour leadership transition and economic reset
Northern England Pushes for Greater Influence in Britain’s Future Economic Model
UK Technology Strategy Focuses on Life Sciences, Digital Innovation and Research Investment
Britain and United States Maintain Focus on Pharmaceuticals Cooperation and Industrial Growth
UK Public Services Face Continued Pressure as Government Promises Visible Improvements
Regional Economic Power Becomes Key Theme in Britain’s Next Political Phase
Britain Expands Support for Small Businesses as Firms Seek Better Access to Finance
UK Economy Remains Central Political Challenge as Cost of Living and Growth Concerns Persist
National Health Service Introduces New Workplace Reviews to Improve Conditions for Healthcare Staff
UK Life Sciences Sector Secures More Than Three Billion Pounds in Investment to Support Innovation
Britain Strengthens Defence Strategy as Security Concerns Reshape Military and Industrial Policy
Andy Burnham Promises Stronger UK Defence Industry and Expanded Domestic Production
UK Government Faces Difficult Spending Choices as Labour Leadership Transition Approaches
Rachel Reeves Warns Andy Burnham of Immediate Economic Challenges After Expected Leadership Change
Andy Burnham Prepares to Lead UK Government With Plans for Regional Power Shift and Economic Reset
Government Creates Emergency Support Scheme for Financially Struggling Universities
United Kingdom Replaces Traditional Farm Subsidies With Payments Linked to Environmental Performance
National Grid Reports First Week of Electricity Generation Without Fossil Fuels
United Kingdom Financial Regulator Introduces Tougher Capital Rules for Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Belfast Harbour Expands Operations to Attract Investment Through United Kingdom and European Union Market Access
Scottish Government Threatens Legal Challenge Over Westminster Cuts to North Sea Transition Funding
United Kingdom Accelerates Trans-Pennine High-Speed Rail Project Linking Northern Cities
United Kingdom Secures Ten Billion Pound Investment for Cambridge Quantum Computing Campus
Port Talbot Steelworks Wins Support for Green Hydrogen Transition and Protection of Industrial Jobs
United Kingdom Sends Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group to Indo-Pacific as Regional Security Focus Expands
×