Laying out the facts of the case, Crown Advocate Emma Hollywood, said: “At the same time as he was making these images, the defendant was frequently participating in conversations with like-minded individuals in which he described himself as a ‘secret pervert’.
“He discussed in detail the abuse he said he would like to inflict on children and babies.”
She added that, after police had seized 11 devices on New Year’s Eve of 2019, he then lied a number of times during interviews, telling officers he did not have any indecent images, although he admitted that “some of my fantasies are quite near the line”.
Pictured: Le Gallais described himself as a described himself as a ‘secret pervert’ in online conversations with likeminded individuals – including at least one in Jersey.
However, Police found 893 images of children aged under 16, including 333 in the most serious ‘category A’ of which 56 were videos. 336 were in category B, including 22 videos, and 224 images in category C.
Advocate Hollywood added: “During the [five-year] period that the images were being downloaded, the defendant was engaged in numerous online conversations with other like-minded individuals, including at least one in Jersey.
“In these conversations, the defendant discussed fantasises about contact offending. He communicated online with several users who told him they are under 16.
“In some conversations, the Defendant talked about identifiable children and children he had seen locally. There were more than 40 Skype conversations in which the Defendant showed a keen interest in young children.”
Defending, Advocate Julian Gollop said that Le Gallais – who was only sentenced for possessing images and not for his online conversations – had cooperated with police and had readily given them passwords.
The lies suggested by the Crown, he said, were a natural response of someone not willing to admit that he had indecent images of children on his computer.
Advocate Gollop added that his client was deeply remorseful and had already sought help from a consultant psychologist.
“Here we have someone who has recognised where he has fallen and wants to change and get himself back,” he said.
Passing sentence, the Lieutenant-Bailiff, Anthony Olsen, who was sitting with Jurats Dulake and Austin-Vautlier, said: “This court has said on many occasions that making indecent images of children is not a victimless crime.
“These were non-paid participants who were incapable of consenting to their appalling and sickening abuse – some of them were babies.”
Pictured: The Lieutenant-Bailiff described the acts in the images Le Gallais downloaded as “unspeakably vile”.
He continued: “These unspeakably vile acts are deeply shocking and saddening; surely the lives of these hapless victims will never be the same again. The images depict appalling sexual crimes against powerless victims and that is the evil of this offence.”
After sentencing, a police spokesperson said: “The viewing and making of indecent images causes real harm to real children. It creates a market and demand for these types of pictures so leads to further abuse.
“It is far from a victimless crime: the children in the pictures are real children, who suffer real harm. The States of Jersey Police are committed to catching those who offend in this way and ensuring that they are put before the courts.”
Ahead of his sentencing, Infrastructure Minister Deputy Kevin Lewis revoked Le Gallais’ licence to drive public service vehicles due to his conviction,
Police said anyone who has concerns about suspected child sexual abuse or exploitation can contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 519000 or the Public Protection Unit at police headquarters via 612612.
The Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) at Dewberry House also can be contacted on 888222.