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UK Man Jailed For Making Fake Bomb Detectors

Gary Bolton sold the homemade plastic devices to international clients for up to $15,668 each, claiming that they could detect explosives, drugs, tobacco and ivory. But prosecutors said the devices, which were sold to countries including Mexico and Thailand, were nothing more than boxes with handles and antennae.

LONDON (AP) -- A British businessman who was convicted of making and selling fake bomb detectors has been jailed for seven years.

Gary Bolton sold the homemade plastic devices to international clients for up to 10,000 pounds (US$15,668) each, claiming that they could detect explosives, drugs, tobacco and ivory.

But prosecutors said the devices, which were sold to countries including Mexico and Thailand, were nothing more than boxes with handles and antennae.

The 47-year-old Bolton was sentenced on Tuesday. He had denied two counts of fraud, but was convicted by a jury last month.

In a separate trial in May, another British businessman, James McCormick, was sentenced to 10 years in jail for selling fake bomb detectors based on a golf ball finder to countries including Iraq.