Northumberland postal worker jailed for sexually assaulting women on rounds | Crime

A postal worker described as a “calculating and dangerous predator” has been jailed for six and a half years for sexually assaulting women when he was making deliveries on his rounds.

Police said that Michael Stewart abused his position to target his victims and subject them to “traumatic ordeals”. The family of one of his victims have blamed Stewart for her suicide.

After he was sentenced at Newcastle crown court, Stewart’s former employer Royal Mail apologised to victims, their families and others who were targeted.

Stewart, 63, of Amble, Northumberland, was arrested after one of his victims came forward to police in November 2021. He was charged with 10 counts of sexual assault, three counts of exposure and one count of harassment with fear of violence.

Stewart denied the charges but after a nine-day trial in November he was found guilty of eight counts of sexual assault and all other charges.

The court heard that Stewart had targeted five women, two of whom had died before his conviction.

According to the BBC, Judge Robert Spragg agreed with one victim’s family that she had taken her own life as a “direct result” of Stewart’s actions and Royal Mail’s failure to respond to complaints about him.

In a statement read to court, the family said: “We blame Stewart’s offending … for her mental state and eventual suicide.”

One of his victims told the BBC that Stewart had initially been “really nice and friendly” and “always had a joke”. But one day, when handing her a package, she said he walked into her home and grabbed her breast.

The woman said she had complained to Royal Mail but they did not inform police and just “swept it under a rock”.

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.”

Det Con Anthony Gourley, who led the Northumbria police investigation, urged victims of sexual abuse to come forward.

He said: “Michael Stewart is a calculating and dangerous predator who abused his position to target his victims and subject them to traumatic ordeals.

“He has been brought to justice thanks to the extraordinary strength and bravery of those abused to come forward and report the offences. Tragically, two of his victims died before seeing Stewart convicted and sentenced.”

“We are committed to supporting all victims of sexual offences – and putting offenders before the courts. I would urge anyone who has been a victim – regardless of when the offences took place – to come forward. Our message is clear – we are here for you.”