ALMOST £20,000 of trainers seized when police arrested a convicted criminal are being sold off.

The haul of 55 pairs, includes expensive brands such as Gucci, Christian Louboutin, Valentino, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo.

The proceeds of their sale will go towards fighting crime.

Police found the shoes, valued at about £18,500, after arresting a man linked to an investigation of a case where a firearm was discharged in Gloucester.

Isaiah Hanson-Frost, 22, was charged with possession of criminal property. But he pleaded not guilty to the offence and during a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court on November 23 he agreed to hand over the trainers to the force.

Under the Police Property Act, Gloucestershire police are now able to sell the shoes items at auction.

Force Crime Operations Detective Inspector Dave Shore-Nye said: "We often see the reason for someone to commit crime is down to their own personal greed and to make money.

"We are keen to put a stop to anyone who is living a lavish lifestyle which has been funded through crime, and this shows the level Gloucestershire Constabulary will go to in order to strip a criminal of their assets and then put the money to good use."

Funding receipts collected from the Police Property Act and subsequent disposal is managed through the Commissioner's Fund and awarded on an annual basis by the police and crime commissioner to the High Sheriff's Fund.

Police and crime commissioner Martin Surl said: "Money from the High Sheriff's Fund is used to support projects within the county that prevent, deter and divert young people away from criminality.

"It helps finance around 30 projects a year and a member of my office sits on the funding panel.

"Some of the money also goes towards the Getting Court scheme, an initiative which enables local students from 15 to 18 to attend Gloucester Crown Court and witness the effects of a real trial.

"The experience is not only educational but also shows the consequences of making the wrong choice later in life."

Hanson-Frost, of Millbrook Street, Gloucester, was jailed for six years in April after he admitted being in possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and violent disorder.

The offences relate to an incident in Chase Lane Industrial Estate in November 2017 where a firearm was discharged.

He had further been charged with possession of criminal property, namely training shoes, and denied this charge at court last month. Judge Ian Lawrie QC formally entered a not guilty verdict after the prosecution did not proceed with the case.

Hanson-Frost is able to retain any Nike trainers valued at less than £100.