Convicted sex offender Stephen Bear has been released from prison after serving half of his sentence.
The disgraced reality star was slapped with a 21-month sentence back in March 2023 after he was found guilty of sharing a sex tape with his ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison without her permission. On January 17, the 33-year-old walked free sporting a new beard.
He was sentenced behind bars for voyeurism and two counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films, after sharing a private video of himself having sex with his former partner Georgia Harrison. The reality star later posted the footage on his OnlyFans account for thousands of his followers to see.
READ MORE: Stephen Bear banned from talking about Love Island’s Georgia Harrison or faces jail
READ MORE: Stephen Bear ‘to be released from jail this month’ after Georgia Harrison sex tape scandal
During his sentence, Bear was also handed a restraining order and told not to contact the Love Island star for five years. The TV personality must also keep police informed of his whereabouts for an entire decade.
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Reports that Bear would walk free earlier than initially expected first hit the headlines in the new year, with one outlet claiming he’d be released on his birthday on January 15. It is understood Bear vowed to remain off social media and will reportedly be leaving his previously wild life behind him.
Before he moved into His Majesty’s Prison, Bear boasted an unpredictable lifestyle which included selling X-rated snaps and videos on the adult-only website. He would later share some of his tamer content on X, formerly known as Twitter.
After he was convicted last year, Bear was ordered to pay Harrison £200,000 – the highest amount awarded in an image abuse case. Months after the trial ended, he was forced to sell his lavish Essex pad for £525,000 on Rightmove.
(Image: PA)
It comes after Georgia – who is currently looking for love in the ITV All Stars villa – previously revealed the strain her two-and-a-half year battle to seek justice took on her physical health. She explained: “When it first happened, the physical effects on me were just horrific.
“I had acne come up all over my face. I ended up getting a cyst infection – the cyst eventually burst – and I was in hospital from stress. They said my kidneys, my pelvis, and multiple organs were infected, and I was going into septic shock.”
Speaking to The Mirror back in October, the ITV star revealed how life has changed since the ruling. She told the outlet: “I went from such a low place to such a high place.
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“I feel so empowered and that a lot of things are changing in society. I think we’re at a turning point where women are going to be protected so much more.” The campaigner added that she’s “so proud” of her accomplishments over the past year following the release of a tell-all documentary about her harrowing experience.
Georgia went on: “My proudest moment was making an amendment to the law. I’d spent so much time reading other women’s stories and I really wanted to do what I could for the,
“When I got told the law was changing, that was monumental for me. I’m still taking it in.” Throughout his highly publicised trial, Bear was dating model Jessica Smith, who swore she’d stand by him throughout.
(Image: PA)
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The 24-year-old called off the relationship back in September and is thought to have since moved on with a man named Josh. At the time it was reported that Bear “cried for days” when Smith ended their romance over the phone and has been sending her letters from his cell at HMP Chelmsford begging to take him back.
Once source told Mirror Online: “He said he was beside him and cried for days when Jessica ended things and has been sending letters asked for a second chance. And in the next breath asking about his clothes and shoes.
“That just sums him up to me. Jessica is better off out of it and she realises that now.” The Ministry of Justice stated that they do not confirm any individual’s release date.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
