LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
Former Postman Sentenced for Series of Sexual Offences in Northumberland
Michael Stewart receives six-and-a-half-year prison term for abusing his position to assault multiple women during deliveries.
20 February 2025 · 09:12 UTC
Stewart targeted five women between 2019 and 2021, exploiting his role to perpetrate assaults.
Tragically, two of his victims have since died, with one woman's suicide directly linked to Stewart's actions and the inadequate response from Royal Mail to complaints about his behavior.
Despite initial reports to Royal Mail, Stewart continued his employment without proper intervention.
In response to the case, Royal Mail has publicly apologized to the victims and their families, acknowledging the significant and, in some cases, tragic consequences of Stewart's crimes.
The company has since implemented changes across the organization, including a multi-year campaign addressing sexual harassment and workplace culture, the introduction of new internal reporting tools, and the establishment of clearer codes of conduct and expected behaviors.
Detective Constable Anthony Gourley, who led the Northumbria Police investigation, described Stewart as a calculating predator who subjected his victims to horrific ordeals.
He commended the extraordinary bravery of those who came forward and reported the offences, noting the tragedy that two victims died before seeing justice served.
Gourley urged anyone who has been a victim of sexual offences, regardless of when the incidents occurred, to come forward, emphasizing the commitment to support victims and bring offenders to justice.
Stewart was convicted of eight counts of sexual assault, three counts of exposure, and one count of harassment with fear of violence following a nine-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court.
He has been remanded in custody and is subject to an indefinite restraining order prohibiting contact with his three surviving victims.