A national children’s charity has said tech companies need to step up their efforts to protect children – after a Guernsey politician and pastor admitted numerous criminal offences including making and distributing indecent images of children.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq today pleaded guilty to 15 charges in Guernsey’s Royal Court.
They include thousands of counts of making and distributing indecent and pseudo-indecent images of children, the possession of hundreds of images classed as ‘extreme pornography’, and breaking telecoms laws by using a variety of X accounts in other people’s names including sending indecent messages.
In response, the NSPCC has said he failed in his duty as a politician to protect his young victims and his actions have helped to fuel a “horrific industry”.
The charity said its trained advisers are available to help anyone affected by the stories around Le Tocq’s offending.
“As a politician, Le Tocq had a duty to safeguard and protect vulnerable people,” said an NSPCC spokesperson. “Yet he involved himself in criminality in which children are harmed.
“Viewing and sharing child sexual abuse material fuels a horrific industry, which can be devastating for victims, with further trauma caused by the knowledge that images have been shared online.
“This case also highlights the need for tech companies to protect children and prevent offenders like Le Tocq from accessing and sharing child sexual abuse content on their platforms.
“Anyone with concerns for the wellbeing of a child can speak to our trained advisors at the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 8005000 or at help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk.”