The 61-year old had admitted 15 charges, including making indecent images of children, pseudo-indecent images of children, sending indecent messages contrary to the telecommunications law, and distribution of an indecent image of children.
‘These abhorrent offences took place over nine years and included impersonating and targeting islanders and other people known to Le Tocq. They all took place while he held significant positions of trust in our community,’ said Guernsey Police superintendent Liam Johnson in a statement.
‘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 the 21st of July at his home address and his devices were seized.
Watch: Liam Johnson from Guernsey Police
‘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.
‘On the 22nd of August, Le Tocq was charged and remanded in custody. Officers have liaised closely with victims throughout this process. 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 victims and witness support in Guernsey. The value of the work of this group cannot be overstated. On behalf of Guernsey Police, I would like to thank all of those victims for their strength and resilience throughout this process.
‘As is now a matter of public record, AI played a serious role in Le Tocq’s offending. I would like to take the opportunity to make it clear that 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. Equally, any form of sexual offence involving children is treated with the utmost seriousness. We will relentlessly pursue offenders and ensure they are put before the courts to face justice.’
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