A Hampstead Garden Suburb businessman stands accused of selling fake bomb detecting devices.

Simon Sherrard is accused of making a “golf ball detection device” and attempting to sell it as bomb detection equipment.

The 49-year-old, who lives in Hill Rise, East Finchley, is among a group of four who allegedly sold the fake devices from different companies.

The device which Sherrard’s company called the “Alpha 6” was used in the US in the 1990s to detect golf balls, City of London Magistrates Court heard last Wednesday (July 18).

It is alleged that he traded through a company called ComsTrac Ltd, registered to Lyttleton Road in the Suburb, falsely claiming that the device would detect explosives.

Magistrates declined jurisdiction of the case and set a committal hearing for September, when the case is expected to be sent to the crown court.

Sherrard was released on bail on the condition that his passport is held by a solicitor.

He must also live and sleep at his home address and ask permission from the police should he wish to travel.