THE High Sheriff of North Yorkshire was handed a custodial sentence after a run-in with the law – luckily for him it was all in the name of charity.

Simon Wrightson swapped the finery of gala dinners for a night in a cell at HMP Kirklevington as he continues to raise money for his two chosen charities.

The wine merchant was brought to the category D open prison in handcuffs before being checked in like any other prisoner.

Not afraid to mix with regular inmates, Mr Wrightson ate in the dining hall and chatted with several men as they shared stories of their convictions and hopes for the future.

Mr Wrightson, who set up his Wrightson business 24 years ago after his family’s Head Wrightson engineering company went out of business, said: "It was an amazing experience – really eye-opening but also very uplifting.

"While I was in the dining room I was sitting with man who was serving time for murder and had been in a category A prison but was now being prepared for release – it was incredibly interesting to listen to how the process works."

The prison, on the outskirts of Yarm, is run by Governor Angie Petit who was delighted to be able to help support the High Sheriff's ambition to spend a night in the cells.

She said: "He came to listen to our Carol Service and when we were chatting afterwards he asked if it would be possible to spend a night in prison to raise money for charity – it really was too good of an opportunity to miss.

"We brought him in like any other prisoner and we took through the check in process where he was searched. He also went to the induction unit to speak to some of the prisoners before eating in the dining hall.

"He was locked in a cell overnight and because he hadn't caused us any problems we rewarded his good behaviour with a full English breakfast, which is prepared and served by other inmates, before letting him out."

Mr Wrightson, who is fundraising for brain injury charity Headway and the Army Benevolent Fund during his year in office, hopes to raise £20,000 for the charities.

"I chose Headway as it is a charity very close to my heart," he said. "I suffered a serious head injury whilst skiing 25 years ago – I was on life support in a coma and it took more than nine months to fully recover."

Jo Plant, director of fundraising for Headway - the brain injury association, said: "We're extremely grateful for Simon's continued support.

"Brain injury can have a devastating effect on people's lives, but Headway is there support people through the most difficult of times.

"The money Simon has raised will help to support our vital nurse-led helpline and our acute trauma support nurses based in hospitals across the country."