A former respected Toronto Fire captain who hid his private world of "depravity" was sentenced yesterday to 45 months for child pornography, weapons and marijuana convictions.

"On the surface, Scott Connor led an exemplary life but behind closed doors his life had deteriorated to squalor and depravity," Justice Anne Molloy said in passing sentence on the 48-year-old Scarborough man.

"Anyone who was repulsed (as Connor testified) by these images would have never amassed such a collection. They were utterly vile."

"He shared the filth he had collected with thousands of other people around the world and he shared that collection in order to facilitate getting more pornography from others," Molloy said.

Connor's 270 videos depicted children engaged in sex acts with each other and adults, as well as bondage, torture and bestiality. The videos had a running time of two days, seven hours and three minutes, the judge noted.

Crown attorney Jennifer McKibbin called for a prison sentence of between 3 1/2 and five years.

Connor, a decorated firefighter who earned a commendation for saving a man in 1989 and was also a respected martial arts instructor, lost his 20-year career, his long-time girlfriend and friends.

His life suffered considerably after being charged following the September 2006 raid of his Scarborough bungalow, Molloy said.

Connor's home was in an abominable, unhealthy state. There were knee-high mounds of garbage, and used tissues and toilet paper containing either human or dog feces.

The disgusting condition showed Connor "spent many, many hours at his computer and was so obsessed with pornography that he neglected to clean up and look after his dog," Molloy said.

The prosecutor said the marijuana -- 13 plants -- was simply for personal use.

Connor is of previously good character and had no criminal record, his lawyer Paula Locke said.

The judge said that the fact Connor had child porn, an unlicensed gun and illegal weapons and a personal marijuana grow-op showed he "had begun living outside of society's laws and norms."

His preoccupation with violent child porn "puts a most disturbing light on his weapons collection," Molloy said.

"He understands there are real children being victimized in horrific ways, but he is lacking any real insight and shows no remorse," Molloy said.

The divorced man, who lived alone, resigned this year after almost 20 years as a firefighter.

SAM.PAZZANO@SUNMEDIA.CA