A senior Jersey politician who provided a character reference for disgraced politician and pastor Jonathan Le Tocq has said he is “shocked and appalled” by the “heinous” crimes.
At Le Tocq’s sentencing on Monday – when he was jailed for nine years having admitted committing a string of offences, including creating pseudo-indecent images of women and children, including some he knew, over a nine year period – Guernsey’s Royal Court heard that five references had been provided.
They had been written by one of Le Tocq’s daughters, a retired dentist, a HR professional, a friend of Le Tocq’s, and a Jersey politician.
Express can reveal that was Jersey’s External Relations Minister Ian Gorst.
He worked alongside Le Tocq when the former politician and pastor held the equivalent position in Guernsey. They have both also served their own islands as Chief Minister in the past.
Talking to Express, Deputy Gorst said: “I was asked by the family, in a personal capacity, to provide a short factual statement reflecting on my time working with him when I was External Relations Minister and he was my counterpart in the Guernsey government.”
I wasn’t fully aware of the scale or extent of these crimes when I made my statement
jersey politician, Deputy Ian gorst
“I wasn’t fully aware of the scale or extent of these crimes when I made my statement, which were, of course, made clear at the judgment on Monday, and I recognise they are of a truly heinous nature,” he continued.
He added: “I did make clear in my statement that I didn’t want it to distract from the trauma of the victims or the breach of trust to them that his actions have caused. I also recognised in that statement that I never truly knew the individual in question, and I can say now I’m shocked and appalled by the crimes he committed.”
The five character references submitted on Le Tocq’s behalf were referred to by his defence lawyer at the sentencing hearing on Monday.
They were not read out in court but Avocate Claire Tee said the reference from his daughter was the most pertinent.
She had written that she was “proud of him and how he balanced his work and helping other people”.
She confirmed that “her father is deeply remorseful” and “horrified by what he’s done” and that he is “seeking to understand why he did it”.
In sentencing him to nine years in prison, Judge Catherine Fooks had said that there were two important pieces of mitigation in Le Tocq’s favour.
She said he was “previously of good character and it must be acknowledged that you have worked hard for your community including as Chief Minister and for your church.
“The references written for you….speak highly of your work for your community and your good character,” she said.
She also said his cooperation in the police investigation – preventing a trial and lengthy delay to his sentencing hearing – was “exemplary”.
Le Tocq’s wide range of offending, committed between 2016 and 2025, included using AI platforms to ‘nudify’ innocent images of women he knew, and their children, to create pseudo-indecent images.
He also admitted sending indecent messages and photographs over the telecommunications network, downloading indecent images of children, and the possession of extreme pornography.