Sarah Joseph
Reality TV star Stephen Bear‘s sentencing on “revenge porn” charges has been postponed for more than a month after the judge gave the go-ahead for a psychiatric evaluation.
In December, a jury found Loughton resident Bear, 32, guilty on two charges of exposing private sexual photographs and one count of voyeurism after he uploaded a video of himself having sex with Georgia Harrison without getting Harrison’s permission.
In August 2020, the Love Island star and the winner of Celebrity Big Brother engaged in consensual sex in his garden in Loughton, which was secretly recorded on his CCTV cameras. Without Georgia’s consent, Bear shared this video on WhatsApp and uploaded it on his OnlyFans account.
In December 2020, the video appeared online and was circulated across a number of channels before being removed a few days later. Bear, who was found guilty by a jury of two counts of voyeurism and one offence of exposing private sexual photos with the intent to cause distress, was scheduled to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court tomorrow (January 31).
However, defense attorney Gemma Rose requested an adjournment of the case until the first week of March during a mention hearing held today (January 30) at the same court.
Bear should receive a mental evaluation, according to Ms. Rose, after receiving a probation report since those who have evaluated him thus far “were unable to formally diagnose,” and because the court would benefit from a thorough evaluation.
“The punishment should be postponed for the time it will take to complete this report,” she stated. I’m aware that the delay will make everyone involved in the case anxious and stressed, but I believe the court has all the evidence it needs in front of it.
The behavior of Mr. Bear during the trial was mentioned by the crown, and I think a psychological assessment will give some context. Every day throughout the duration of his trial, Bear arrived in a hired Rolls Royce, dressed garishly with a full suit, fur coat, cane, and cigars.
Bear casually mentioned other ladies he had sex with throughout his testimony while also openly admitting he wasn’t always faithful to partners. He engaged in a number of heated discussions with prosecuting attorney Jacqueline Carey KC throughout his cross-examination.
The crown did not object to the sentence being delayed, Ms. Carey informed the court today. Georgia Harrison, she said, would be there at the hearing and read her own victim impact statement in front of the judge.
Judge Christopher Morgan instructed the parties that the court should “give full attention to all information available,” adding that it is “a matter for him personally” whether either party is successful in its arguments. He set the case for hearing on March 3rd.
“The defendant must be informed of the new sentencing date, and if he fails to appear without good cause, an arrest warrant may be issued,” he stated. The judge had already informed Bear that he would have the option of receiving any sentence, including a prison term.
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