Broome’s Caleb Clifton charged over indecent assaults in backpacker hostel bathrooms

A 23-year-old Broome man has faced court after multiple women claimed they were indecently assaulted in the bathroom blocks of two hostels. Caleb Clifton appeared before Broome Magistrate’s Court this week charged with a string of offences alleged to have occurred between May and June. The prosecution alleged Mr Clifton was seen on CCTV in the early hours of May 3 leaving the shower block at Cable Beach Backpackers, moments after he was alleged to have assaulted a woman while she was showering. Mr Clifton was allegedly staying at the backpackers when he entered the bathroom block at 1.54am and found the woman showering. After turning off the lights, it is alleged the accused undressed before then showering in the cubicle beside the woman. Mr Clifton allegedly concealed his face with a T-shirt and forced his way into her cubicle, blocking her exit. The woman screamed “get out”, which allegedly caused Mr Clifton to flee. Two days later, Mr Clifton allegedly jumped the fence of the staff accommodation at The Roebuck Hotel at 2.53am when he saw a female staff member who was feeling sick rush into a toilet block. He then allegedly followed the woman inside the block, waiting for eight minutes for the victim to open the door. It is alleged the woman was unaware of his presence before he turned off the lights and forced his way into her cubicle. Mr Clifton allegedly then grabbed the victim’s shirt several times before fleeing the scene. The prosecution claims Mr Clifton was caught on CCTV in both instances. The two indecent assault charges were read before the court on Monday, along with one count of burglary which is alleged to have occurred between June 9 and 10. Mr Clifton allegedly entered a room some time on these dates through an unlocked door at a hotel in Cable Beach, where a couple and their young children were sleeping, and stole a bankcard and a resort key. Mr Clifton is alleged to have bought fuel with the bankcard. The resort key has not yet been located. Mr Clifton’s lawyers requested bail but this was rejected, at which point Mr Clifton became visibly distressed, begging before the court. Magistrate Stephen Sharratt said the charges were too serious and the risk of reoffending was too strong to allow Mr Clifton into the public. The case comes less than a month after the Broome community was rattled by a separate sexual assault in Cable Beach on Sunday, May 29, during a “bush doof”. The 31-year-old victim was allegedly only metres away from the party behind a dune when she was sexually assaulted by an unknown perpetrator. Broome detectives are still seeking information from witnesses about this assault.