Paris online appeal launched

An online petition has been launched to stop Paris Hilton going to jail.

The petition to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also claims she is being used as a scapegoat to highlight the dangers of drink-driving.

Kyle Vincent, an artist who launched the FreeParis.org web site, is trying to collect one million signatures on a petition seeking her freedom by June 5, the date the hotel heiress is due to go to jail.

He added: "We think 45 days in jail is a cruel punishment for the caliber of what she did."

Vincent is also using his site to sell "Free Paris" T-shirts, along with similarly themed buttons, bumper stickers and coffee mugs.

He claims to have collected over 500 signatures on his petition so far and sold about 200 pieces of merchandise, with proceeds going to support "the petition drive, myself and the organisers."

Schwarzenegger's press secretary, Aaron McLear, said the governor had received no formal request to consider a pardon.

She added: "It would be premature for the governor to become involved in any case until the individual has exhausted their judicial remedies."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.