A millionaire businessman is facing jail after being convicted in London of selling fake bomb detectors. The detectors, also used to find drugs, were sold around the world, including Malta.

The case was discovered in January 2011. At the time, the BBC carried comments by Patrick Cuschieri, head of security at Malta International Airport who said that the so-called "bomb detectors" were little more than toys. He had evaluated an example when he worked for the Customs Department.

The Malta police had denied that the detectors were toys.

“On the basis of information from experts who have used the kits in Malta, the Corps does not agree with allegations that this equipment is some sort of toy since these kits sometimes gave positive results and the Drug Squad was able to detect drugs through its use

The police said the efficiency of the kits depended on the operators using them.

James McCormick, 56, was today found guilty at the Old Bailey of three counts of fraud after jurors concluded the devices did not work as they should.

McCormick, of Langport, Somerset, made an estimated £50 million from sales of his three models. But, the court heard, the Advanced Selection Equipmentdevices had no scientific basis and were based on a £13 American novelty golf ball finder.

McCormick shook his head after the verdicts were delivered.

He was remanded on conditional bail to be sentenced on May 2.

The detectors were marketed to the military, police forces and governments around the world using glossy brochures and the internet.

Men dressed in military-type fatigues were shown using the detectors to find explosives, drugs, fluids, ivory and people.

 

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