Loughton: Stephen Bear convicted of sharing intimate video without consent

A man has been convicted today following Essex Police’s ongoing efforts to tackle offences against women and girls.

Stephen Bear, 32 of Bryony Close, Loughton, Essex appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today (13 December) where he was found guilty of multiple offences including Voyeurism.

An investigation into Bear began in December 2020, after Essex Police were contacted regarding an intimate video being shared online to multiple social media platforms.

The victim in this case, Georgia Harrison bravely waived her anonymity in order to help other victims of these offences. Georgia was unaware that Bear had recorded them both having sex, using a CCTV camera which had been set up in his garden.

The video then began to appear on multiple sites including Only Fans. Georgia contacted Essex Police and an investigation from the Essex Police Domestic Abuse Investigation Team began.

Bear was arrested at Heathrow Airport on 15th January, on suspicion of disclosing private sexual images without consent as well as voyeurism. He was charged with both offences on 15 May 2021. In February 2022, Bear was seen to be discussing the case on social media, clearly breaching his court bail conditions so he was further arrested and later charged.

He appeared at court today where he was found guilty.

In a statement, Georgia Harrison bravely describes the impact that this had on her:

“The only way to describe how I am feeling now is relieved.
"The last two years have been absolute hell and this verdict will allow me to start to put the pain I have suffered in the past and start embracing the future.
"Bear’s behaviour was completely unacceptable and those who choose to commit such crimes should and will be prosecuted.
"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.
"I want to take the time to thank the Essex police force (especially Brian Sitch) and also Michelle Roycroft who have been such a huge support to me throughout and have worked tirelessly for two years to get to this point.
"I also want to thank my KC Ms Carey, the jury, the judge Christopher Morgan and all of the victim support team at Chelmsford for ensuring justice was served and helping make my experience as comfortable as possible.
"And of course my friends and family for being by my side. especially my mum who I couldn’t have done this without.”

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan said:

“This man thought he could treat women and girls like they were on a reality show. He thought he could commit appalling crimes in Essex and get away with it. He was wrong.
“You can’t try to shame and manipulate people to satisfy yourself. You can’t pretend that taking intimate videos and sharing them without consent is OK. It’s not. And if you try to get away with it in Essex, you won’t, regardless of who you are.
“Thank you Georgia Harrison, not only for your bravery but for your trust in our detectives. I’d like to commend the investigating officer in this case, DC Brian Sitch who has demonstrated his determination to stand alongside Georgia Harrison to hold this man to account.
“Let me be clear, misogyny and violence and intimidation against women and girls, in all its forms, is wrong – and it is for us all to stand up and stand together to stamp it out in our society.”

Essex Police continues to prioritise tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) by relentlessly pursuing perpetrators with a focus on high harm offenders, improving trust and confidence in policing through addressing culture and behaviours as well as working with partners to create safer spaces in Essex.

If you have been a victim of VAWG or any crime please contact us.