Following the sentencing of Jonathan Le Tocq to nine years in prison, Guernsey Police have issued a statement providing a glimpse into the investigation that caught the disgraced former Chief Minister and pastor, and the “abhorrent” crimes he committed.
The statement applauds the bravery of his victims, sheds light on police work to curb the “emerging criminality” of Artificial Intelligence, and commits officers to “relentlessly pursue” sex offenders in the community.
Le Tocq pleaded guilty to all 15 of his offences, which he committed between 2016 and 2025. Those included downloading indecent images of children, creating pseudo indecent images of children including using images of children known to him, sending indecent messages through the telecommunications network, and distributing indecent images of children.
Superintendent Liam Johnson of Guernsey Police said all of Le Tocq’s crimes “took place while he held significant positions of trust in our community”.
Speaking to the island’s media, he explained how the investigation began last July.
“When Guernsey Police first received intelligence about this offending, we initiated an extremely robust investigation to establish the extent of what was being done.
“Le Tocq was then arrested on the morning of 21st July at his home address and his devices were seized.
“This started a complex process of our High-Tech Crime Unit analysing these devices, where over a million images were found and analysed, around 2,500 of which were categorised as indecent images of children.”
Superintendent Johnson explained that Le Tocq’s victims were then made aware of his crimes and their severity.
“It was only when the investigation uncovered the extent of the offending that the victims became aware of how they were targeted: news which was undoubtedly shocking to them all,” he said.
“Since then, Guernsey Police has endeavoured to keep those victims informed of how the investigation has progressed, and officers have also worked closely with Victim and Witness Support Guernsey. The value of the work of this group cannot be overstated.
“On behalf of Guernsey Police, we would like to thank all of those victims for their strength and resilience throughout this process,” he expressed.
Superintendent Johnson addressed the media outside Guernsey Police Station in St Peter Port.
He confirmed that further work is underway to tackle crimes that utilise AI.
This is after Crown Advocate Chris Dunford earlier told the Royal Court that some of what Le Tocq did is not illegal under Guernsey’s current laws. Home Affairs has already made moves to change that law.
“I would like to take the opportunity to make it clear, Guernsey Police is working hard to ensure it is ready to tackle the emerging criminality that the development of AI has brought with it.
“We are already working with the committee for Home Affairs to ensure our legislation is fit for purpose,” he said.
Superintendent Johnson ended his statement with a rallying cry against those who commit such abhorrent crimes.
He said they won’t go unnoticed, and will be brought to justice.
“Equally, any form of sexual offence involving children is treated with the utmost seriousness,” he said.
“We will relentlessly pursue offenders and ensure they are put before the courts to face justice.”