Jail for sex abuser in “Operation Toucan” case

Tuesday 23 June 2015

Child abuser Robert Norman is beginning a four-and-a-half year prison sentence for sexual offences against a child that stretch back 20 years.

Norman (pictured above) and co-accused Darren Le Corre, who received a 12-month probation order, were sentenced by the Royal Court yesterday.

Both men will be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register – Norman for six years and Le Corre for two years.

A further man, Duncan Le Corre, is also due to be sentenced by the courts after pleading guilty to sexual offences against the same victim.

The operation against the three men was codenamed “Operation Toucan” and is described by police as a protracted investigation, dating back to offences committed in 1995.

Acting Detective Inspector Manny De Freitas of the Public Protection Unit paid tribute to the “immense courage” of the victim in the case, who gave evidence at the trial of Norman and Darren Le Corre.

He said that the case could not have been brought without the victim’s evidence, and hoped that they would now be able to rebuild their life.

Acting Det Insp De Freitas said: “The States of Jersey Police have the utmost determination to investigate and prosecute child sexual abuse, historic or current.

“We want to assure victims that there is help available from a number of agencies who are in a position to offer support and guidance through all stages of the criminal justice process.”

Police say that Operation Toucan was a “challenging and complex case” which required detailed and painstaking work by detectives and the Law Officer’s department. They have also praised the work of the Witness Care Unit and the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor for their support through the difficult court process.