Home / Crime and Justice / Postman's Actions Led to Woman's Death, Inquest Hears
Postman's Actions Led to Woman's Death, Inquest Hears
11 Dec
Summary
- A postman received a six-and-a-half-year sentence for offenses against five women.
- The inquest heard the victim complained about unwanted sexual banter in April 2021.
- The woman went off work with stress and received anti-depressants in December 2021.
A six-and-a-half-year prison sentence was handed down to a postman from Amble in January for multiple offenses against five women, including sexual assault, exposure, and harassment. The judge at Newcastle Crown Court stated the death of Ms. Wealleans was a direct consequence of the postman's behavior.
The inquest heard that Ms. Wealleans, a former Army member and boxer, first reported the postman in April 2021, citing "unwanted sexual banter and comments." Despite management's intervention, she felt confused about the situation. Further complaints were not formally recorded until November 2021, though the operations manager noted this did not mean none were made.
Ms. Wealleans proceeded to raise a formal grievance, alleging sexual assault and exposure by the postman, who was allowed to resign in November 2021. Investigations by Royal Mail and Northumbria Police commenced, but Ms. Wealleans expressed dissatisfaction with the progress. She left work due to stress in December 2021 and was prescribed anti-depressants, continuing sick leave until April 2022.
