A WOMAN who was sexually assaulted by a predator postman killed herself while on the phone to Royal Mail.
Carly Wealleans was groped by Michael Stewart, 63, who kissed her and exposed himself three times.
The ex-Olympic boxing hopeful called Royal Mail on March 11, 2022, in a “distressed” state and blamed her torment on the company’s failure to deal with Stewart’s offending.
While on the phone with a manager, Carly sadly took her own life.
In a double tragedy, her brother Sam died last September while competing in the Great North Run in his sister’s memory.
Stewart has now been jailed for six-and-a-half years after he was convicted of sexual assault, harassment and exposure against five victims.
Judge Robert Spragg said Carly’s death was a “direct result” of Stewart’s “disgusting” actions.
He added: “Had you not behaved in this manner towards her, it is clear she would not have suffered the severe psychological harm she did leading to the loss of her life.”
The judge also blamed Carly’s state of mind on Royal Mail’s inadequate response to her complaint about Stewart.
In December 2021, she had made a statement to police saying she felt suicidal due to the assault and Royal Mail’s inadequate response to it.
Carly was referred to mental health services but struggled to eat and sleep.
In January 2022, she told police that she had taken an overdose.
Two months later, she made the phone call to Royal Mail where she took her own life.
Newcastle Crown Court heard “calculating and dangerous predator” Stewart used his position as a postman of 22 years to carry out his vile crimes.
Royal Mail had received several complaints about his behaviour but no proper steps were taken to against him and he continued to work.
The firm has since apologised and launched a “high-level” review into the case.
In a victim impact statement, Carly’s mum said the family’s lives had been had been “destroyed” by her death.
One of Stewart’s victims told how he went from a “nice guy who delivered the post” to someone she “had to hide from because I was scared”.
She said she complained to Royal Mail when he sexually assaulted her but, after initially being moved, he was soon put back on her round.
Another said Stewart walked into her home one day while delivering a package and grabbed her breasts.
The woman told him to “get off” but he was “not even bothered by what he’d done”.
She added: “He said that I wanted it. I didn’t. I didn’t encourage it.
“That’s the bit that upsets me.”
The woman said she complained to Royal Mail but they failed to inform police and just “swept it under a rock”.
Another victim, who has also since died, previously said Stewart ogled her chest like a “kid in a sweetshop”.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “These crimes were abhorrent and had significant, and in cases tragic, consequences for the victims.
“Stewart abused his position of trust. This verdict reflects the seriousness of his offences. We would like to publicly apologise to the victims, their families and to others who were targeted.
“The protection of our colleagues and customers is our utmost priority. Following this case, we commissioned an independent review.
“In line with its recommendations, we implemented changes across the organisation, including a multi-year campaign on sexual harassment and culture in the workplace, new internal reporting tools and clearer codes of conduct and expected behaviours.”