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Stephen Bear Jailed for Breaching Restraining Order

Prosecutors say the sentence shows courts will enforce post‑conviction limits by punishing online abuse and failures to follow sex‑offender register rules.

Overview

  • A judge at Chelmsford Crown Court sentenced Stephen Bear to 16 months' immediate imprisonment on Thursday for repeatedly posting about Georgia Harrison in breach of a five‑year restraining order.
  • Bear pleaded guilty on Wednesday at Thames Magistrates' Court to five counts of failing to comply with sex‑offender register notification requirements, including not reporting foreign travel, a replacement passport, and new bank cards.
  • Prosecutors say evidence showed a sustained campaign of abusive posts about Harrison between March and July 2025 across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube that encouraged others to target her.
  • Defence lawyers told the court Bear lost his passport in Brazil, had a blocked NatWest card and obtained replacement cards from Wise and Revolut, but the court proceeded to punish the register breaches and restraining‑order violations.
  • The Crown Prosecution Service has applied for a fresh restraining order to remain until further order and said the case underlines how police and courts can use criminal charges and custody to protect victims from online harassment.