Stewart Burchell: Former Roebuck Bay Hotel manager to stand trial over string of indecent assault charges

The former manager of Broome’s Roebuck Bay Hotel, who was charged with a string of sexual offences earlier this year, will stand trial on December 11 this year.

Stewart Burchell reappeared in Broome Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning one week after having his bail extended for a trial allocation date on July 31.

The 49-year-old had previously entered a not-guilty plea to 13 counts of indecent assault back in May, with the alleged offences taking place between March 2017 and March 2023.

According to his employment history on social media, Mr Burchell started working at the Roebuck Bay Hotel in October 2016 after being previously employed in managerial roles at various hospitality venues across Australia.

Since the allegations arose and investigations into the alleged incidents by Broome police, Mr Burchell’s employment with the venue has ceased.

The Roebuck Bay Hotel - an iconic Broome pub known for its weekly wet t-shirt competitions - has been at the centre of controversy as of late, with one of their contracted crowd controllers facing court after viciously assaulting a patron in broad daylight earlier this year.

Mr Burchell will appear before a jury in Broome District Court on December 11 after his trial callover on October 9.