Article contentThe man’s mother – who is also the grandmother of the younger victim – said List was like family to her and her husband.Article content“We both trusted Robert with the care of our kids and grandkids when they were with him,” she told the court. “He betrayed our trust. The impact of what this man has done to our family is unimaginable.Article content“We as a family are trying to provide our loved ones with the help and support they need. As parents and grandparents, we feel guilty for not knowing what was going on.”Article contentShe and her daughter both said they hope List gets the help he needs.Article contentThe younger woman said her life was instantly turned upside down when her son told her List was paying him to do more than just mow the lawn.Article content“One of the people who I thought I could trust the most betrayed my whole family,” she said. “The betrayal has made it hard to trust anyone, especially around my children.Article contentArticle content“I also feel immense guilt for the trauma my brother and son went through at the hands of Robert, as I spent just as much time with him and nothing like this ever happened to me. To say I was blindsided by this whole thing is an understatement.”Article contentBefore he imposed the sentence, the judge asked List if he had anything to say to the court.Article contentList apologized to the man and his nephew, who were both seated in the front row of the gallery.Article content“I’m very, very sorry for what I’ve done,” he said as he sobbed. “I was only thinking of myself and not your well-being. I hope that you are receiving the therapy you need to recover from my actions. I am glad you came forward so now I can receive the therapy I need to recover for my actions and prevent this from happening to anyone else.”Article contentHe apologized to the other members of the family as well and said he regrets losing their longtime friendship.Article contentArticle content“There is nothing you could have done to prevent this,” he reassured them.Article contentList tried to take his own life twice after he was charged.Article content“I realize the damage my actions have caused,” he said. “I could not justify living knowing the damage and long-term consequences I have done to all of you, so I tried to commit suicide. And unfortunately, it didn’t work.”Article content Crown attorney Scott Morrison speaks with reporters at Dartmouth provincial court Friday after Robert Edward List’s sentencing on child pornography charges. List, 59, of Windsor Junction, received a sentence of eight years and nine months in prison less remand credit. Photo by Steve BruceArticle contentInvestigators seized an eight-terabyte hard drive with enhanced encryption from List’s residence. The hard drive contained dozens of folders bearing boys’ names.Article contentOne folder with the 12-year-old’s name on it contained almost 7,500 pornographic photos and 92 illicit videos of him.Article contentAnother folder with the older complainant’s name on it contained more than 10,600 pornographic images and one pornographic video of him.Article contentA folder labelled “Amberwood” contained about 1,100 pornographic images of boys. Those images included six photos of a young man identified by police as someone who had been employed by List.
An ‘unimaginable’ impact: Windsor Junction man gets lengthy sentence for making, possessing child pornography
