Knife charge boxing tycoon fined

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Scots boxing promoter Barry Hughes has been ordered to pay out £10,000 after being convicted of carrying a knife inside a Glasgow nightclub.

At the city's Sheriff Court, he was fined £5,000, the maximum penalty for the offence.

Hughes was also ordered to donate £5,000 to the young offenders' charity, Apex Scotland.

The 29-year-old was caught with the knife in One Up nightclub, Royal Exchange Square, in July last year.

At an earlier hearing, Hughes had claimed that he had knocked the knife from a friend's hand in toilets at the nightclub.

But he was convicted after two police officers, who witnessed the incident, said they were certain he had the weapon.

I will impose a significant penalty and you have also agreed to make a payment to the Apex charity which I'm sure will go some way to help young offenders Sheriff Martin Jones Defence advocate, Paul McBride QC, told the court that the consequences for Mr Hughes and his business were disastrous.

"The impact of the conviction in this case is greater for Mr Hughes than the overwhelming majority of those who would appear before this court normally," he said.

"Unlike many other young persons who come before this court it's not so much the penalty in this particular case but the conviction.

"As a result of this conviction he will be unable to obtain a visa to travel to America where he has a number of business interests.

"In addition, both his promoters licence, which he has held for three years, and his managers licence, which he has held for four years, are now in jeopardy."

Mr McBride also made the suggestion that Hughes could make a donation to charity and present the court with a receipt.

Sentencing Hughes, Sheriff Martin Jones, said: "The carrying of a bladed weapon is a very serious problem and it is one which courts are trying to address in every way they can.

'Significant penalty'

"However every case must be judged on its own merits.

"You are truly a first offender and this is not an offence where the knife was used in a threatening manner and I therefore take the view that this is not a case where a custodial sentence is appropriate.

"I will impose a significant penalty and you have also agreed to make a payment to the Apex charity which I'm sure will go some way to help young offenders."

Speaking outside the court, Hughes said: "I'm delighted to get it over and done with and not have this hanging over me any longer.

"I respect the decision of the court but I still maintain my innocence.

"I'm just glad I can start looking forward to more positive things now and get on with my life."