Georgia Harrison released a powerful statement moments after her ex Stephen Bear was found guilty of two counts of revenge porn and one count of voyeurism on 13 December.
He was convicted of voyeurism on a majority vote of 10 out of 12 jurors, and unanimously on the two counts of revenge porn after more than eight hours of jury deliberations.
Celebrity Big Brother winner Bear has been released on Bail and will be sentenced at the same court on 31 January 2023. Under a law established in 2015, Bear could face a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
Since the verdict, Ms Harrison has released a statement, speaking on the "absolute hell" she's been through over the past two years.
"The only way to describe how I am feeling now is relieved," she explained. "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."
The former Love Island contestant went on to speak on the dangers of the "virtual world" and how important it is to protect people from injustices online.
She continued: "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."
Describing how she's felt over the past two years as a result of the video being online, she went on: "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."
Ms Harrison ended her statement by thanking those who helped her through the ordeal as she added: "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.”
Bear will be sentenced at the end of January.
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