Windsor Junction man granted bail on charges of sexually abusing boys

DARTMOUTH, N.S. — A Windsor Junction man accused of luring and molesting two boys and recording the abuse has been released on $105,000 bail after spending more than five weeks on remand.

Robert Edward List, 57, was arrested in mid-July, when police executed search warrants at his home and other properties in the Halifax Regional Municipality in an investigation into the creation of child pornography.

During the searches, officers located and seized photo studio equipment, electronic devices that allegedly contained child pornography, firearms and ammunition.

List allegedly lured and molested one boy between January 2006 and December 2009 and another between December 2020 and July of this year.

The 19 charges laid in that investigation include two counts each of sexual assault, sexual assault with a weapon, invitation to sexual touching, making child pornography, possessing child pornography, making sexually explicit material available to a child, and permitting prohibited sexual acts by a child in his household.

List also faces four counts of luring a child for the purpose of committing a sexual offence and one count of sexual interference.

The identities of the complainants, one of whom is now an adult, are protected by a publication ban.

Police also filed nine firearms-related charges against List following the searches. Those charges include four counts of careless storage of a firearm, three counts of contravening storage regulations, and single counts of unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of a prohibited device knowing its possession is unauthorized.

Release conditions

Defence lawyer Pat Atherton worked out strict release conditions for List with a prosecutor and the investigating police officer.

List pledged $100,000 to secure his release Monday in Dartmouth provincial court, while his surety made a $5,000 promise.

Judge Brad Sarson ordered List to live with his surety at an address in Franey Corner, Lunenburg County, observe a 6 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew and wear an electronic ankle bracelet so police can monitor his whereabouts.

The electronic monitoring will also include video surveillance cameras to be installed on the exterior of the Lunenburg County home so police can see who enters or leaves the residence.

List is not allowed to use the internet, possess any devices capable of accessing the internet, have any firearms, possess or access any pornographic material, or occupy the driver’s seat of any motor vehicle.

Sarson also prohibited List from having contact with the two complainants or their family members and being within 300 metres of their homes, schools, workplaces or churches.

List is banned from associating with anyone under the age of 16 and attending parks, playgrounds, community centres, schools or other places where children are likely to be present.

He also is prohibited from engaging in any activities, volunteer work or employment that would place him into contact with persons under the age of 16 unless he receives prior written permission from the court. In addition, he cannot date or begin a common-law relationship with anyone who has children or looks after children unless he first informs that person of his release conditions.

List’s charges will be back in court Sept. 19.

Investigation continues

After Monday’s court appearance, Crown attorney Scott Morrison said the investigation into List continues. He said he could not rule out the possibility of more charges.

RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall said he believes the investigation started when one of the alleged victims came forward. 
  
Marshall said investigators feel they have spoken with all complainants, but anyone with more information is asked to contact police. 
 
He warned against vigilantism involving List and said the electronic monitoring device will help police make sure he is not violating his release conditions. 

“If anyone sees something suspicious, they can contact us,” the RCMP spokesman said. “With the electronic monitoring, we have very good ability to determine whether he is in violation or not, and any vigilantism will not be tolerated.”

With Ian Fairclough