Sex-charge teacher lived with his kids
Contact with under-18s banned
David Carrigg, The Province
Published: Friday, September 07, 2007

A Lillooet teacher charged with child sexual assault and making child pornography lived with two of his teenage children, according to his personal information posted on Ebay.

Mounties revealed yesterday it was Christopher John Banmen, 47, they arrested last month after a 16-year-old girl said she had been sexually molested.

RCMP searched Banmen's home and allegedly found photos of two naked teenage girls and evidence of possession and production of child pornography. Police say Banmen knew both of his alleged victims.

According to Banmen's online information, he moved to Lillooet to teach in 1989.

Until his arrest, he taught high-school biology, chemistry and science.

Banmen sells used comics on Ebay. He is highly rated and his last trader review was in early September.

"I now live with my two younger teenaged children and my ex-wife's dog," he states in his bio on the online-commerce site.

"My life right now is great. I wonder how I might feel in a few years when my children are grown and move away. Then, I might be lonely.

"If you are a kind, decent, loyal, hard working single woman in your 30s to mid 40s maybe we can exchange some emails."

Valerie Adrian, chairwoman of the Gold Trail School District, would not confirm or deny whether Banmen taught in Lillooet.

However, she said a 47-year-old male teacher has been suspended.

"We're dealing with the situation," she said.

Banmen was released on bail with numerous conditions, including that he have no contact with the alleged victims or any person under 18 unless in the company of an adult.

dcarrigg@png.canwest.com