Nova ScotiaRobert List was sentenced in provincial court in Dartmouth, N.S., to eight years and nine months in prison, less time served, for what a judge called an “absolutely horrendous” case involving thousands of sexually abusive photos he took of boys.Robert List, 59, took thousands of degrading photos of boysRobert Edward List is escorted into provincial court in Dartmouth, N.S., on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. (Richard Cuthbertson/CBC)Robert List was a longtime family friend, attending Christmas dinners and referred to as “Uncle.” But he was also a “monster” secretly shattering that trust, preying on two young members of the family by taking thousands of sexually explicit and degrading photos of them.The two victims, one now an adult, the other still barely a teen, attended court Friday in Dartmouth, N.S., as a judge sentenced List, 59, to one of the longest prison terms ever handed down in Nova Scotia for child pornography-related offences.”While my healing journey continues, I hope that Robert spends his days reflecting on the type of monster he is,” the older victim, who is now in his 30s, said in a statement read by a prosecutor to the court.Judge Brad Sarson called the facts of the case “absolutely horrendous” and sentenced List to eight years and nine months in prison, less two years for time served in pretrial custody. The sentence includes time for a number of firearms offences and breaches of release conditions.”I wish that I had the power to say something that would perhaps bring some closure to the victims, some sense of healing. But I don’t,” Sarson said.Sentence ‘among the highest ever handed down’The two victims, whose identities are banned from publication, are members of the same family. The youngest came forward in 2023, when he was just 12 years old. The second subsequently gave a statement to police that said List had taken photos of him when he was a boy and teen, starting in 2006.After police raided List’s Windsor Junction, N.S., home, they analyzed computers and electronic devices and found 18,000 pornographic photos he had taken of boys, some recently and others dating back three decades.The sentence was a joint recommendation between prosecutor Scott Morrison and defence lawyer Don Murray. “It’s among the highest ever handed down in this province,” Morrison said outside the courtroom.Of particular note was the huge quantity of images, making it one of the largest seizures of child sexual abuse material ever in the province.Family betrayedIn a statement read by Morrison in court, the mother of the youngest victim said List was like an uncle to her as she grew up, teaching her to drive a four-wheeler and a car.But she said her life “turned upside down” when her son told her what List was doing. She said she feels “immense guilt for the trauma” suffered by him and the other victim.”One of the people who I thought I could trust the most betrayed my whole family,” her statement said.Another family member echoed the feelings of guilt in a statement she read to the court. “The impact of what this man has done to our family is unimaginable,” she said.Since he was charged, List has twice tried to kill himself, including one failed attempt in March 2024 when he lay injured for three days before he was found and taken to hospital, the court was told.Guilty plea in JuneList, who had no criminal record, pleaded guilty in June to a number of child pornography and luring charges. In court on Friday, he wept as he addressed the victims’ family, apologizing and telling them the crimes were driven by his “own selfish needs.””I realized the damage my actions have caused and I could not justify living knowing the damage and long-term consequences I have done to all of you,” he said.”So I tried to commit suicide. And unfortunately, it didn’t work. And now I will have to live knowing the long-term consequences of my actions.”Murray noted in court the offences that List pleaded guilty to do not involve sexual touching. He also said none of the photos List took had been distributed.The fact the collection remained private, the lawyer said, should give the victims and the court confidence “that none of that child pornography is going anywhere else in the future.”Seized itemsBoth victims told police List often required them to wear outfits he provided for photo shoots. The sessions were done at List’s home, but also at other locations, sometimes in the woods. List would set up stage lighting. Guns and other objects were used as props.When officers searched List’s Windsor Junction home and a second location, in Spryfield, they seized pistols and rifles, duffel bags and suitcases of boys’ clothing, along with tripods and photographic lights.Both victims said List paid them. The younger said List also bought him a video game console, took him to KFC or to activities he enjoyed. The second victim said List would supply him with cigarettes and pornography.Police also discovered on a hard drive seized from List’s home more than 85,000 child pornography images he didn’t take, and more than 8,000 hours of videos.ABOUT THE AUTHORRichard Cuthbertson is a journalist with CBC Nova Scotia. He can be reached at richard.cuthbertson@cbc.ca.
Man handed one of longest sentences for child-pornography offences ever in N.S.
