James McCormick, 56, of Langport, Somerset, is said to have made £50m from sales and sold more than 6,000 in Iraq, the Old Bailey heard.
Police said the devices, modelled on a novelty golf ball finder, are still in use at some checkpoints.
One Iraqi bomb victim described him to the BBC as a "morally bankrupt" man.
Both civilians and armed forces personnel were put at significant risk”
Richard Whittam QC, for the prosecution, said: "The devices did not work and he knew they did not work."
McCormick had claimed the devices could bypass "all forms of concealment", detecting drugs and people along with explosives, the court heard.
He claimed they would work under water and from the air, and would track an object up to 1km (3280ft) below the ground.
The bomb detectors came with cards which were "programmed" to detect a wide array of substances, from ivory to $100 banknotes.
Other substances could be detected, it was claimed, if put in a jar with a sticker which would absorb its "vapours" and was then stuck on a card that would be read by the machine.
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.
Police said McCormick showed a complete disregard for the safety of those who used and relied upon the device for their own security and protection.
The court heard there was no evidence that McCormick had tried to sell the products to the Ministry of Defence.
They used to have a punishment that would fit this crime. Can't remember what it was called but it basically involved cutting off the hands, feet, ears, nose, and tongue then gouging out the eyes. The criminal was then left on the street penniless with a tin pan. Some variants involved leaving the eyes or ears so the criminal could either see or hear the horror of the people that see him for the rest of his life.
They used to have a punishment that would fit this crime. Can't remember what it was called but it basically involved cutting off the hands, feet, ears, nose, and tongue then gouging out the eyes. The criminal was then left on the street penniless with a tin pan. Some variants involved leaving the eyes or ears so the criminal could either see or hear the horror of the people that see him for the rest of his life.
You know, I have this great elixir that can cure any surface wound and regrow limbs in two minutes. :rolleyes:
How did people fall for this ****?
They used to have a punishment that would fit this crime. Can't remember what it was called but it basically involved cutting off the hands, feet, ears, nose, and tongue then gouging out the eyes. The criminal was then left on the street penniless with a tin pan. Some variants involved leaving the eyes or ears so the criminal could either see or hear the horror of the people that see him for the rest of his life.
They used to have a punishment that would fit this crime. Can't remember what it was called but it basically involved cutting off the hands, feet, ears, nose, and tongue then gouging out the eyes. The criminal was then left on the street penniless with a tin pan. Some variants involved leaving the eyes or ears so the criminal could either see or hear the horror of the people that see him for the rest of his life.
i think you're thinking of the princess bride
They used to have a punishment that would fit this crime. Can't remember what it was called but it basically involved cutting off the hands, feet, ears, nose, and tongue then gouging out the eyes. The criminal was then left on the street penniless with a tin pan. Some variants involved leaving the eyes or ears so the criminal could either see or hear the horror of the people that see him for the rest of his life.
i think you're thinking of the princess bride
Actually I wasn't. This was actual method of punishment used in varying degrees.
I think you're bluffing.
I think you're bluffing.
It's possible, pig.