THE owner of a Chipping Norton bookshop is asking his customers to help send him to prison.

Patrick Neale, co-owner of Jaffé & Neale Bookshop and Cafe, is hoping to spend Thursday in the cells at the old Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court, in London, as part of a campaign by the Howard League for Penal Reform against a ban on books being sent to prisoners in England and Wales.

Mr Neale will receive the “punishment” and be allowed the book of his choice, Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment, provided he receives enough votes from customers, who will also be asked to make a donation.

An online jury will send six defendants with the most votes to jail.

Mr Neale said: “I want to make sure anyone who goes to prison can be sent books. Education is an essential part of rehabilitation, and besides, buying books is good for my business.”

To make a donation, visit the shop, call 01608 641033 or see justgiving.com/patrickneale1