Stephen Bear jailed for 24 weeks over sex offender register breaches

Stephen Bear, the former Celebrity Big Brother winner, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison on 19 July 2024 for five breaches of the sex offenders’ register. The offences included failing to notify police about a trip to Brazil, a new passport, and two bank cards acquired during the trip. Deputy District Judge Claire Pithie presided over the sentencing at Thames Magistrates’ Court.

Unauthorised travel and social media posts

Prosecutor Maisa Mamman told the court that Bear had posted videos on social media from Brazil, taunting police by saying they “can’t catch him”. The posts, made in 2023, showed him on a beach and were described as bragging about his location. Bear did not inform police about the trip before leaving or within three days of his return, as required by the register’s rules.

Bear was placed on the sex offenders’ register in 2023 after being jailed for 21 months for sharing a private sex tape of his ex-girlfriend, Georgia Harrison, on his OnlyFans account. The conviction followed a high-profile trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, where Harrison gave evidence about the emotional impact of the offence.

Defence and sentencing remarks

Bear’s defence argued that he was not fully aware of the notification requirements at the time of the breaches. The court heard that he is now clear about the obligations. However, Deputy District Judge Pithie told Bear that the sentence would take immediate effect, adding: “You need to work on your strategies. Otherwise you will keep ending up finding yourself in difficult situations.”

Bear, who is expecting a child with his partner, Miami, confirmed his personal details in court. He stated that his usual address is in Walthamstow, east London, but is currently serving a separate 16-month prison sentence in Chelmsford for breaching a restraining order. That offence involved posting about Harrison on social media, violating the terms of his 2023 conviction.

What happens next

Bear will serve the 24-week sentence concurrently with his existing 16-month term for breaching the restraining order. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that no further charges are pending in relation to the register breaches. Bear remains on the sex offenders’ register, which requires him to notify police of any changes to his personal details or travel plans for the duration of his registration.