WA man accused of abusing hostel children

A former WA Department of Child Protection employee accused of sexually assaulting two girls and a boy at group homes he worked at has appeared briefly in court.

Stephen John Gale, 59, allegedly abused the children, who were aged between eight and 10, while working at the Doubleview Group Home and Darlington Hostel between 1998 and 2000.

He faced the Midland Magistrates Court on Friday, charged with nine counts of sexual penetration of a child under 13, and five counts of indecently dealing with a child under 13.

Gale is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court on September 20.