Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty
The Challengealum Stephen Bear has been convicted of sharing a sex tape featuring him and ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison after the footage was seen on the online subscription service OnlyFans.
On Tuesday, the English reality star, 32, was found guilty of voyeurism and two counts of disclosing private, sexual photographs and films, according toThe Guardian,The Evening StandardandSky News.
After the verdict was read at Chelmsford Crown Court in England, Bear said, “My barrister said not to… In my opinion, from the very beginning it was never a fair trial, what the press said against me,” per Sky News.
“I was fighting a losing battle and it is what it is,” he continued.
Judge Christopher Morgan responded to Bear, saying, “Thank you for that observation.”
The judge released the reality star on bail until Jan. 31, when he will be sentenced, according to the outlet.
Georgia Harrison and Stephen Bear.Ricky Vigil M/GC Images, Karwai Tang/WireImage
“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,” she continued.
“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.”
During the trial, Harrison — who waived her right to anonymity — said she did not know that she was being filmed when the former couple had sex in Bear’s garden on Aug. 2, 2020,The Guardianreported.
Prosecutor Jacqueline Carey KC said Bear uploaded the footage “either himself or had it uploaded to OnlyFans and profited financially,” perThe Evening Standard.
However, Bear claimed that he deleted the footage the same day it was captured and never shared it with anyone. He added that he didn’t “know of any video being uploaded” after he was asked about the footage being on OnlyFans.
As the trial was going on, Bear shared a deal for his adult entertainment website alongside a photo of him arriving at court on Twitter, perThe Guardian. He captioned the photo, “50% off my adult site for the next 24 hours. Come see why I’m trending.”
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Bear and Harrison first met when they were on season 33 ofThe Challenge. The duo immediately hit it off and were often seen flirting with each other. They also appeared on season 34 together.
source: people.com
