This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/may/02/fake-bomb-detector-conman-jailed

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Fake bomb detector conman jailed for 10 years Fake bomb detector conman jailed for 10 years
(about 2 hours later)
A fraudster who made an estimated £55m selling fake bomb detectors to Iraq and other security hotspots has been jailed for 10 years. A fraudster who sold more than £55m worth of fake bomb detectors to Iraq and other security hot spots has been jailed for 10 years at the Old Bailey.
Jim McCormick, 57, was found guilty of three counts of fraud over the sale of bogus explosive and drug detection devices for as much as £10,000 each when they were based on £15 novelty golf ball finders.Jim McCormick, 57, was found guilty of three counts of fraud over the sale of bogus explosive and drug detection devices for as much as £10,000 each when they were based on £15 novelty golf ball finders.
At the Old Bailey on Thursday Mr Justice Hone handed down the maximum sentence for a crime he described as "a callous confidence trick". Mr Justice Hone handed down the maximum sentence for a crime he described as "a callous confidence trick". He said the case was the most serious of its kind that he has known. After the verdict, Iraqi exiles called for compensation from at least £7m in assets that are expected to be confiscated from the Somerset-based businessmen.
"Your fraudulent conduct in selling so many useless devices for simply enormous profit promoted a false sense of security and in all probability materially contributed to causing death and injury to innocent individuals," he said as McCormick sat impassive in the dock. "He destroyed Iraqi lives," said Nidhal Ailshbib, an Iraqi activist protesting outside the Old Bailey. "Thousands of Iraqi people are dead and handicapped."
Prior to sentencing, the court heard statements from British army officers that bomb blasts killing civilians in Baghdad occurred after truck bombs and other explosives had passed through checkpoints manned by security officers using the fake detectors sold by McCormick. Detectives called for groups or individuals who believe they have been victims of explosions that could have been prevented if the bogus bomb detectors worked to come forward.
Jonathan Laidlaw QC, defending, said McCormick denied any responsibility for the attacks, saying "any amount of protective devices at checkpoints in Baghdad couldn't protect the people of Iraq from those who conduct the insurgency there". The judge said he did not accept that. "Your fraudulent conduct in selling so many useless devices for simply enormous profit promoted a false sense of security and in all probability materially contributed to causing death and injury to innocent individuals," the judge told McCormick as he sat impassive in the dock.
A confiscation hearing under the proceeds of crime act was set for May next year. The judge described how McCormick sold, with a small number of agents, 7,000 devices under the ADE brand to the Iraqi government and other international agencies for prices ranging from $2,500 per unit to $30,000 when they cost less than $50.
Police have said the fake detectors remain in use on checkpoints even though they do not work. "The device was useless, the profit outrageous and your culpability as a fraudster has to be placed in the highest category," he told McCormick who now stands to have assets worth millions confiscated.
Many Iraqis are angry that the detectors have cost lives. It is alleged by an Iraqi whistleblower that McCormick paid millions of pounds in bribes to senior Iraqis to secure the deals. The judge said that in terms of culpability and harm, he could imagine no more serious case.
General Jihad al-Jabiri, who ran the Baghdad bomb squad, is in prison on corruption charges relating to the contracts. "Soldiers, police forces, border customs officers, hotel security staff and many others trusted their lives to the overpriced devices sold by you," he said.
McCormick claimed the gadgets could detect explosives at long range, deep underground, through lead-lined rooms and multiple buildings. In fact, their antennae, which appeared to be like car radio aerials, were not connected to any electronics and had no power source. "Your profits were obscene, funding grand houses, a greedy, extravagant lifestyle and even a yacht. You have neither insight, shame or any sense of remorse."
McCormick's first model, the ADE-101, was in fact a re-badged golf ball finder that was described by its US maker as "a great novelty item that you should have fun with". The antenna was "no more a radio antenna than a nine-inch nail", one scientist told the jury. Prior to sentencing, the court heard statements from British army officers that fatal bomb blasts killing Iraqi civilians in Baghdad occurred after truck bombs and other explosives had passed through checkpoints manned by security officers using the fake detectors sold by McCormick.
In a statement read out by Richard Whitam QC, prosecuting, Brigadier Simon Marriner said: "The inescapable conclusion is that devices have been detonated after passing through checkpoints. Iraqi civilians have died as a result."
In mitigation, Jonathan Laidlaw QC, defending McCormick, denied any responsibility for the attacks saying "any amount of protective devices at checkpoints in Baghdad couldn't protect the people of Iraq from those who conduct the insurgency there".
Mr Justice Hone refused to accept that.
A confiscation hearing under the proceeds of crime act was set for May next year. Police have warned that the fake detectors remain in use on checkpoints even though it does not work. Many Iraqis are angry that the detectors have cost lives. It is alleged by an Iraqi whistleblower that McCormick paid millions of pounds in bribes to senior Iraqis to secure the deals. General Jihad al-Jabiri, who ran the Baghdad bomb squad, is in prison on corruption charges relating to the contracts.
McCormick claimed the gadgets could detect explosives at long range, deep underground, through lead-lined rooms and multiple buildings. In fact, their antennae, which appeared to be like car radio aerials, were not connected to any electronics and had no power source. McCormick's first model, the ADE-101, was in fact a rebadged golf ball finder that was described by its US maker as "a great novelty item that you should have fun with".
The antenna was "no more a radio antenna than a nine-inch nail", one scientist told the jury.
guardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8amguardian.co.uk today is our daily snapshot of the top news stories, sent to your inbox at 8am