Guernsey’s most senior politician has praised the response of the community in the wake of Jonathan Le Tocq’s depraved and sordid crimes.
Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez is the President of the Policy and Resources Committee – equivalent to the role of Chief Minister which was once held by Le Tocq during his time in the States.
Deputy de Sausmarez topped the polls in the June 2025 election with Le Tocq polling 9th with 8,002 votes. She defeated him in an election to become P&R President, but she then chose him to sit on her committee continuing in his role as External Relations lead.
That title meant he travelled off island extensively to meet representatives from other jurisdictions, especially in the UK and France.
He stood down from P&R after being charged with numerous offences in August, and he then resigned from the States after pleading guilty in December.
Speaking after he was jailed for nine years on Monday, Deputy de Sausmarez said her thoughts remain solely with Le Tocq’s victims.
“There isn’t much more I feel I can add to the comments I made after Jonathan Le Tocq pleaded guilty in early December,” she said.
“Like many others that trusted him, I find it difficult coming to terms with the grim reality of what he has done.
“His victims and everyone else affected by his actions, especially his family but also his church community, and former colleagues and constituents, are first and foremost in my thoughts.
“The betrayal of their trust and respect and the pain I know they have experienced is just heartbreaking.”
Deputy de Sausmarez said the betrayal of the trust that so many people had placed in Le Tocq has since been reflected in the community’s shared disgust as people rally around his victims.
“Guernsey is not defined by the actions of any individual: we are defined by our collective response,” she said.
“I’m proud to be part of a community that has responded with care, empathy and understanding for those impacted – especially his victims and his family, whose lives have been turned upside down through no fault of their own.
“I’ve been struck by their resilience and dignity throughout this awful episode.”
Crown Advocate Chris Dunford told the Royal Court that there was “no doubt of his high standing in Guernsey”, but that he had abused the trust placed in him “particularly by using images of people he knew”.
Advocate Dunford read out victim impact statements from Le Tocq’s victims which reflected the severe impact his crimes has had on them.
One victim said she had been “psychologically raped”, while another said she is suffering from PTSD and flashbacks.
Many said they can no longer trust anyone, and that they feel “violated” by his sordid actions.
“Those statements make for harrowing reading,” said Judge Catherine Fooks when she sentenced Le Tocq.
“They each describe the devastating effect ….(of) your warped fantasies,” she said.
“The real victims here are those known to you,” she said, “your wife, your friends and their children whose images you took and abused in the worst way.”