The former manager of a landmark Broome pub has told a District Court jury allegations he indecently assaulted multiple staff are "absurd".

Stewart Patrick Burchell, 51, is on trial in the District Court, accused of indecently assaulting five staff and a patron while manager of the Roebuck Bay Hotel between 2017 and 2023.

He is facing one count of sexual penetration without consent, alongside 13 counts of unlawful and indecent assault, with a further two charges dropped on Monday due to lack of evidence.

Taking the stand on Monday, on the fifth day of his trial, he denied that he had raped a staff member.

He told the jury he returned late to the pub one night because of reports a man was trespassing.

After a scuffle with the man, he said he left in the car of the alleged victim, who d

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