Judge accepts Nike trainers as bail bond

A man in Massachusetts has escaped jail for failing to pay court fees for drug offenses by handing over his Nike trainers as a bail bond.

Jason Duval was arrested after failing to pay court costs associated with previous charges of drug possession and dangerous driving. Payment of the bill would have resulted in the charges being dropped, according to local news outlet Metro West Daily News.

The 39-year old told Judge Douglas Stoddart that he was unable to pay the £295 fee as he was going through a costly divorce.

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Stoddard was unwilling to release him without bail and so told him: "If you can come up with a creative idea to convince me you'll come back, I'll work with you."

After a short break, Duval returned to the courtroom and presented the judge with his brand new £55 trainers that were a Christmas present. "OK, we'll take them," the judge agreed.

Duval must now pay the court four £65 instalments each week and complete ten hours of community service. The trainers will be returned to Duval once he has paid his debt.