A pastor and politician has been sentenced to nine years in prison after admitting to creating more than 2,000 indecent images of children.

Jonathan Le Tocq, 61, a former Guernsey Chief Minister and church leader, pleaded guilty in December 2025 to multiple offences including possessing extreme pornography, creating pseudo indecent images of children, and a number of telecommunications offences.

Passing sentence at Guernsey’s Royal Court, the judge said she struggled to find words to describe “the depravity” of Le Tocq’s actions.

During the hearing, the court heard how Le Tocq used artificial intelligence to create sexualised images by superimposing children’s faces onto naked bodies, sometimes adding his own face to the images. The prosecuting advocate said the method used to create the images had “never been seen before” by the court.

Many of the victims were women and children with connections to Guernsey. Victim impact statements described lasting harm, including anxiety, fear, and significant deterioration in mental and physical health.

Le Tocq resigned as a deputy last month following Guernsey’s general election. Police told the court he operated at least 29 social media accounts, though the prosecution focused on four.

Le Tocq had connections to New Ground, a family of churches operating in more than ten nations. As a member of the New Ground Core Team, he was responsible for overseeing New Ground churches in France and was involved in the organisation since it formed in 2011.

Immediately following his arrest at the end of July he was stood down from any New Ground responsibilities.

In a personal statement released through his lawyers to media, Le Tocq said he was not attempting to “reduce or explain away the enormity” of his offences, but to acknowledge the harm caused.

“As a believer in Jesus Christ, I have grieved my God most of all through my vile actions which are totally opposite to the values and standards which I have espoused for the majority of my life,” he said in the statement.

“I have wept and grieved over this for weeks and wish to express my sincere and deepest sorrow.”

Le Tocq said he carried “profound remorse” and acknowledged that he had hurt not only victims, but also family, friends, colleagues and the wider Guernsey community. He said he was “grateful for being confronted with my sin and my crimes", adding that it had ended what he described as a period of “self-deception".

He also expressed regret at failing to seek help after suffering a heart attack in December 2020, saying he should have recognised warning signs and reached out for support rather than returning quickly to a pressurised lifestyle.

“I fully realise that I have let down the Guernsey community,” he said. “I am ashamed of this and take full responsibility.”

His offending came to light after Thames Valley Police seized the phone of a registered sex offender in November 2024 and identified online communication with Le Tocq.

New Ground Churches said in a statement on Tuesday: "The outcome of this legal process marks an important moment of accountability. The crimes for which he has been sentenced are abhorrent and have caused real and lasting harm. They represent a profound betrayal of trust and we recognise the gravity of what has taken place and the deep distress this has brought to many.

"The victims and all those who have been harmed or affected remain at the centre of our thoughts and prayers. We acknowledge the courage it takes for victims to participate in the legal process, and are grateful for the work of the police and those within the legal system who have worked to bring these offences to light so that justice could be served. Our hope is for continued care, restoration and healing for those who have been affected.

"We recognise that this news continues to impact many people, especially within the Guernsey community and also across our churches. We remain committed to reflecting carefully on all that has come to light and to upholding strong safeguarding practices."

New Ground encouraged anyone impacted to contact Christian safeguarding organsiation thirtyone:eight.