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'Iraqis killed' by use of fake bomb detectors Fake bomb detector seller James McCormick jailed
(35 minutes later)
Iraqis were killed as the result of fake bomb detectors sold by convicted British fraudster James McCormick, his sentencing hearing has heard. Fraudster James McCormick has been jailed for 10 years for selling fake bomb detectors.
Prosecuting QC Richard Whittam said that was the "inescapable conclusion" about the use of the fake detectors. McCormick, 57, of Langport, Somerset perpetrated a "callous confidence trick", said the Old Bailey judge.
He said the justice and foreign affairs ministries in Baghdad were hit by truck bombs - which drove through checkpoints where the fake devices were used. He is thought to have made £50m from sales of the fake devices to countries including Iraq.
McCormick, 56, of Langport, Somerset, was convicted last month of fraud. The fraud "promoted a false sense of security" and contributed to death and injury, the judge said. He also described the profit as "outrageous".
McCormick is said to have made £50m from sales and sold more than 6,000 in Iraq for more than $40m (£26.2m) between 2008 and 2010, a BBC Newsnight programme earlier reported. Police earlier said the ADE-651 devices, modelled on a novelty golf ball finder, are still in use at some checkpoints.
A statement from Robert Lambourne, a former policeman who was seconded to Iraq, was read to the sentencing hearing on Thursday. Sentencing McCormick, Judge Richard Hone said: "You are the driving force and sole director behind [the fraud]."
Standard of proof He added: "The device was useless, the profit outrageous, and your culpability as a fraudster has to be considered to be of the highest order."
He concluded: "I have a firm opinion that the officers believed it was an effective tool... and they took its readings very seriously." One invoice showed sales of £38m over three years to Iraq, the judge said.
Police have said that the ADE-651 devices, modelled on a novelty golf ball finder, are still in use at some checkpoints. Truck bombs
In mitigating defence, Jonathan Laidlaw QC said: "We would need real evidence that a bomb detonated in the green zone had failed to be detected by the ADE, to meet a criminal standard of proof." Prosecuting QC Richard Whittam said that the justice and foreign affairs ministries in Baghdad were hit by truck bombs - which drove through the checkpoints where the useless devices were operated.
During the trial, the court was told McCormick's detectors, which cost up to $40,000 (£27,000) each, were completely ineffectual and lacked any grounding in science. The prosecution said the "inescapable conclusion" was that Iraqis died because of their use.
McCormick had claimed the devices could bypass "all forms of concealment", detecting drugs and people along with explosives, the court heard. A statement from Robert Lambourne, a former policeman who was seconded to Iraq, was read to the hearing on Thursday.
He claimed they would work under water and from the air, and would track an object up to 1km (3280ft) below the ground. He said: "I have a firm opinion that the officers believed it was an effective tool... and they took its readings very seriously".
In reality, McCormick's device was based on $20 (£13) golf ball finders which he had purchased from the US and which had no working electronics. During McCormick's trial, the court was told the detectors, which cost up to $40,000 (£27,000) each, were completely ineffectual and lacked any grounding in science.
They were based on a $20 (£13) golf ball finders which had no working electronics.
McCormick had claimed the devices could bypass "all forms of concealment", detecting drugs and people, as well as explosives, the court had heard.