Prosecutors want to seize almost £6m of assets from fraudster Barry Hughes.

The 38-year-old former boxing promoter faces court under proceeds of crime legislation after getting his hands on £1,287,955 for two mortgages.

A pre-proof confiscation hearing called at Glasgow Sheriff Court where Hughes was not present.

Gordon Jackson QC told sheriff Paul Crozier that if the proof hearing goes ahead as planned next month, it could take up to six months.

He also said the Crown are claiming the "benefit figure" from Hughes' crimes is £5.9m.

The defence counsel said: "Standing the way the law is, we would require all transactions, £5.9m which have gone through his account and have to be spoken to, challenged or whatever."

Mr Jackson said it is up to the defence to prove that all transactions made were legitimate.

He said: "There are about 1500 transactions for which evidence will require to be led, allowing 20 minutes per transaction one can begin to calculate.

"The estimation, I'm horrified to say to you, is over 150 court days."

He added the "available assets" are £50,000 but the Crown are "insisting on multi-millions as a benefit figure".

Mr Jackson said Hughes has offered to repay £500,000 to bring the matter "to a complete end".

He said: "But in the hope presumably of getting something else more in the future, which they will never get, I don't think they will take it."

Sheriff Crozier continued the case for another pre-proof hearing and urged both sides to adopt a "mature and realistic attitude".

Hughes was jailed in March 2013 for 43 months but his sentence was overturned and he was fined £45,000.

He claimed his wife Jacqueline made £160,000 from her business McDonald Interiors but divorce papers lodged by her in 2006 stated she was "financially dependent" on her husband.

The father lied on mortgage applications about his wife's income in January 2004 for one property in Bridge of Weir and in November 2006 for a second in Kilmacolm.

He also admitted two money laundering charges for receiving £128,885 after selling the first property and spending £30,000 towards a Rolex watch.