Boxing promoter in court on mortgage fraud charges

THE boxing promoter Barry Hughes has appeared in court on a string of charges alleging mortgage fraud and making big profits from the sale of properties involved.

He faced a total of five charges, all relating to transactions involving former family homes in Langbank, Brookfield and Kilmacolm, in Renfrewshire.

It is claimed the 31-year-old committed the offences on various dates between 2001 and 2007, and that he obtained what amounted to a six-figure sum from the transactions.

Following his arrest at his home in Kilmacolm on Wednesday, Hughes was detained and appeared from custody at Paisley Sheriff Court.

The two Proceeds of Crime Act charges - involving the sale of the properties in question - flow directly from the three that allege mortgage fraud.

He made no plea or declaration during his brief appearance on petition and was released on bail by Sheriff Colin Pettigrew, who continued the case for further examination.

It is understood the Crown insisted his passport be surrendered as a condition of bail.