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Ms Wealleans, a keen boxer who had served in the Army for four years, first complained about Stewart on 6 April 2021, saying she had been subjected to “unwanted sexual banter and comments”, the inquest at County Hall in Morpeth heard.
In response, managers said they had a “stern word” with Stewart who apologised to Ms Wealleans, but he also claimed he had been told by bosses they did not want to lose him as he was a good worker, which left her feeling confused and unsure of who to believe, coroner Andrew Hetherington heard.
There were no further complaints recorded by bosses at Morpeth until November 2021, but Royal Mail operations manager Scott Kippen said that did not mean none were made.
Ms Wealleans, who went on to raise a formal grievance, later said Stewart had exposed himself and sexually assaulted her, with Stewart being allowed to resign in November 2021, the inquest heard.
Both Royal Mail and Northumbria Police began investigations into the allegations, but Ms Wealleans told her GP, Dr Janan Swinghurst, she was not happy with the progress they were making.
She went off work with stress in December 2021 and had regular contact with Dr Swinghurst, who prescribed anti-depressants, signposted her to mental health support and provided a sick note until April 2022.
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