James Lucas Young, 31, was given a four-month jail sentence and 30 months probation after he called police on himself in Dec. 2022 in Parksville, saying he was in possession of child pornography and needed to be arrested. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

sentenced

‘I definitely need help:’ self-reporting Parksville child porn collector heading to jail

Feb 5, 2025 | 4:08 PM

NANAIMO — A Parksville man who called the cops on himself and admitted to being addicted to child pornography will spend the next four months in jail.

James Lucas Young, 31, pleaded guilty to possessing over 1,300 images and 10 videos depicting the graphic sexual abuse of children. Young turned himself in to police in December 2022.

Speaking with reporters outside the Nanaimo provincial court on Wednesday, Feb. 5 prior to his sentencing, Young said he felt “good” about the possibility of going to jail.

“I definitely need help both for society’s benefit and my benefit, I wouldn’t be in this situation if I was healthy. I genuinely, in my heart, believe in being good for goodness sake. It isn’t about, ‘oh if I’m good to them they’ll be good to me,’ it’s the right thing to do the right thing. I owe a debt, and I’m happy to pay it.”

Judge Tamara Hodge accepted the joint submission presented by both Crown counsel and the defence, with Young serving 30 months of probation following his 120 days behind bars.

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Alleged sexual abuse as a child and unfettered access to the internet are what started him down the path to a “child pornography addiction,” according to Young.

It wasn’t until he got older that he realized what he felt wasn’t normal.

“Once you’re an adult…you can’t go to a psychiatrist because they are duty-bound to report you, so you have two choices: keep it a secret, or go to jail. Because it’s a sexual impulse, you’re being compelled to do it by your body. It is a matter of choice, but less black and white…you’ve got parts of your body, literally your body, that are compelling you to seek this satisfaction.”

He said treating people with pedophilic disorder should follow the same route as addiction treatment, saying “prohibition and secrecy” only creates a black market for the material.

“You need to have an open, honest conversation. This is endemic. It is, everywhere. These are your teachers, these are your parents and your children. You will meet somebody who has looked at child pornography today, and every other day for the rest of your life. If you want to protect children, you need to start talking about it.”

James Young spoke with reporters outside of the Nanaimo courthouse prior to his sentencing on Feb. 5, 2025. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Sentencing
During the sentencing hearing, court heard how Young was bullied in school and started abusing illicit substances at the age of 12, continuing with problems with alcohol in his 20s.

Young reported to a court-appointed psychiatrist he first accessed child porn around the age of 12 by accident. The report deemed Young as having pedophilic disorder, addictions to alcohol and tobacco, an anxiety disorder, and borderline personality traits.

Judge Hodge said the psychiatric report said Young would be at high risk of reoffending with child pornography if no special management plans or treatment were put into place, while the risk of hands-on offending was deemed low to moderate.

She said Young had apparent pro-social values, no prior criminal history, support from his mother and stepfather, and willingness to seek treatment were all factors in limiting the risk.

However, Hodge said a jail sentence was required in this case, citing the vulnerable nature of the victims’ images found on Young’s devices, while also crediting him for recognizing he needed help.

“Mr. Young expressed his hope that by being involved in the criminal justice system he would be given assistance and support to help him find ways to mitigate his sexual urges and he expressed a willingness to take medications and engage in whatever therapies are required to that end.”

Conditions of his probation include participating in court-ordered sexual offence prevention courses, no alcohol or drugs, and being banned from going on any social media sites, blogs, or chatrooms, except with the prior approval from his probation officer, and only if it pertains to his post-secondary education.

He will be allowed to have one mobile device, but all activity must be approved and monitored in the presence of his probation officer, parent, or approved person.

Young will be on the police-accessed sex offender registry for 20 years, must submit a DNA sample, and can only engage in a romantic relationship after informing his probation officer, who will then notify the person of Young’s record.

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