Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK

A Surrey area teacher who was caught in a Creep Catchers sting four years ago has been banned from teaching.

The B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation cancelled Simon William Isbister’s teaching certificate and in a decision reached June 3, he noted Isbister’s actions “undermines the public confidence in the education system.”

Isbister, who was a teacher since 2007, was employed at the Delta School District when he made contact with someone he believed to be around the age of 12 or 13 years old.

It started Nov. 20, 2017, when he posted a listing in the Casual Encounters section of Craigslist, looking for someone interested in meeting with him and another person. The request was paired with a photo of himself and that other person.

On the same day he got a message from a person using the name “lo lo” who claimed to be an 18-year-old woman.

“U guys seem very nice. My name’s Sierra. I’m turning 13 so please don’t share my pic,” Sierra said, in the message alongside a photo of the bottom half of a girl’s face, showing a tongue with a piercing.

“Ahh, hi! Thanks for your note. 13 is very young though. Not sure how I feel about that,” he said.

Sierra wrote back by saying, “Lol. No worries. I’m mature and attracted to older guys.”

Isbister then asked if she’d “played with many older guys.”

Sierra said she had and Isbister said they were lucky and they chatted more about where she met older guys online as well as in person and her living arrangements.

“So I’m really curious to meet you but nervous too. I could get into a lot of trouble for meeting a girl so young, right?” Isbister said.

“Umm, I dunno. I guess ya. But I’m nervous too. I’d never tell (no) one,” Sierra said. 

He asked if she was free, if she was on Kik and if he could have her number, so he could text.

Then on Nov. 23, 2017 Isbister contacted Sierra again asking if she changed her mind, if she was getting his texts and if their meeting that night still was on.

“Mostly I’d just love to meet you. I’m very interested but also kinda nervous,” he said.

Sierra asked if the other person in the photo knew about her age and Isbister wrote, “no, not entirely.”

In the end, that date fell through but Isbister proved persevering.

On Nov. 25, 2017, Isbister set up a date at a local Tim Hortons for 10:30 p.m., and asked her if she would be on another date before they met up.

“Kinda hot!” he said.

Isbister made his way to the Tim Hortons and as per Sierra’s instructions bought her a hot chocolate.

It was close to 11 p.m. when he showed up and not long after his drinks were purchased a man from Surrey Creep Catchers came in and called “Simon! Simon! What’s up?”

The man had a video camera running and it shows that as he kept walking toward Isbister as he said that. 

Initially, Isbister walked away, then he turned back toward the camera, and ultimately seemingly realizing what was happening, talked with man filming.

Isbister told him he was meeting Sierra at Tim Horton’s because he was worried about her. He acknowledged that Sierra’s profile said she was 18 and that she told him she was 12.

When all was said and done, they parted ways and the Surrey Creep Catchers posted the video on its website under the name Simon.

Nearly a year later, Aug. 22, 2018, an anonymous caller told the school district that they saw Isbister in the video. The next day caller contacted the Intake Officer of the Ministry of Education.

Days later, Aug. 27, 2018, the district suspended Isbister and in September of that year he resigned. On Oct. 4, 2018 he signed an agreement to never teach in any role requiring authorization in the teacher’s act.

Then a Consent Order agreement ultimately signed June 3, 2021 was proposed.

That’s where Isbister admitted to “conduct unbecoming” and agreed to never apply for a teaching job again and the cancellation of his teaching certificate.

The Commissioner for teachers said Isbister’s conduct showed a pattern of persistence and that he knew he could “get into a lot of trouble.”

Also, his actions undermined public confidence in the education system.

If he applies for a certificate of qualification, an independent school teaching certificate or other authorization to teach in the kindergarten to Grade 12 education system, it is agreed, the director may refer to this agreement and any document gathered by the professional conduct unit of the Ministry of Education.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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