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James McCormick guilty of selling fake bomb detectors James McCormick guilty of selling fake bomb detectors
(35 minutes later)
Millionaire businessman James McCormick, 56, has been convicted at the Old Bailey of three counts of fraud after selling fake bomb detectors.Millionaire businessman James McCormick, 56, has been convicted at the Old Bailey of three counts of fraud after selling fake bomb detectors.
The Advanced Detection Equipment was based on a golf ball finder device and sold for up to $40,000 (£27,000) in Iraq, Georgia, Saudi Arabia and Niger.The Advanced Detection Equipment was based on a golf ball finder device and sold for up to $40,000 (£27,000) in Iraq, Georgia, Saudi Arabia and Niger.
McCormick, of Langport, Somerset, said to have made £50m from sales of the devices, will be sentenced next month.McCormick, of Langport, Somerset, said to have made £50m from sales of the devices, will be sentenced next month.
He marketed the detectors to military, governments and police and even the UN. An Iraqi bomb victim described him as a "morally bankrupt" man.
The models were described by prosecutors as completely ineffectual and lacking any grounding in science.The models were described by prosecutors as completely ineffectual and lacking any grounding in science.
McCormick showed a complete disregard for the safety of those that used and relied upon the device for their own security and protection Police say McCormick showed a complete disregard for the safety of those that used and relied upon the device for their own security and protection.
There is no evidence that he tried to sell to the Ministry of Defence, but an Essex policeman organised a demonstration which was watched by an MoD inspector.There is no evidence that he tried to sell to the Ministry of Defence, but an Essex policeman organised a demonstration which was watched by an MoD inspector.
McCormick claimed that the detectors could bypass "all forms of concealment". McCormick claimed that the detectors could bypass "all forms of concealment" and would detect explosives, drugs, ivory and people.
He claimed they would work under water and from the air, and would track an object up to one kilometre below the ground.
However Richard Whittam QC, who was prosecuting, said "the devices did not work and he knew they did not work."However Richard Whittam QC, who was prosecuting, said "the devices did not work and he knew they did not work."
Iraq spent more than $40m on 6000 devices between 2008 and 2010. Iraq spent more than $40m on 6,000 devices between 2008 and 2010.
Haneen Alwan needed 59 operations after she was injured in a bomb blast in January 2009. She was two months pregnant at the time and lost her child.Haneen Alwan needed 59 operations after she was injured in a bomb blast in January 2009. She was two months pregnant at the time and lost her child.
"When people passed through checkpoints using these devices, they thought they would be safe, but they are useless. The man who sold them has no conscience. He is morally bankrupt. How could he sell them just for money and destroy other people's lives?" "When people passed through checkpoints using these devices, they thought they would be safe, but they are useless. The man who sold them has no conscience. He is morally bankrupt. How could he sell them just for money and destroy other people's lives?" she told a BBC Newsnight investigation into the case.
"The devices were used at numerous checkpoints within Iraq during this period. It is clear that both civilians and armed forces personnel were put at significant risk in relying upon this equipment," said Det Insp Ed Heath of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the deputy senior investigating officer A senior Iraqi official told the BBC that the useless devices had created a false sense of security - and that no punishment would make up for the blood that had been shed as a result.
The Newsnight programme conducted an investigation into the devices sold by McCormick's company, resulting in a UK government ban on their sale in Iraq and Afghanistan in January 2010.
"The devices were used at numerous checkpoints within Iraq during this period. It is clear that both civilians and armed forces personnel were put at significant risk in relying upon this equipment," said Det Insp Ed Heath of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the deputy senior investigating officer.
"McCormick showed a complete disregard for the safety of those that used and relied upon the device for their own security and protection. He amassed many millions of pounds through his greed and criminal enterprise.""McCormick showed a complete disregard for the safety of those that used and relied upon the device for their own security and protection. He amassed many millions of pounds through his greed and criminal enterprise."
Det Supt Nigel Rock of Avon and Somerset Police called McCormick "a conman".
"We have heard evidence from many, many experts, scientists, leaders in their field, who have said this was a fraud. A sham.
That device has been used and is still being used on checkpoints. People using that device believe it works. It does not."
Police intend to pursue McCormick's wealth under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
McCormick was remanded on conditional bail and will be sentenced on 2 May.McCormick was remanded on conditional bail and will be sentenced on 2 May.
Watch Newsnight's full report on the fake bomb detector story and the programme's investigation into it at 22:30 BST on BBC Two on Tuesday 23 April 2013.Watch Newsnight's full report on the fake bomb detector story and the programme's investigation into it at 22:30 BST on BBC Two on Tuesday 23 April 2013.