TESCO this week defended its decision to sell a book about the incest monster Josef Fritzl, who raped his daughter, as part of the Linslade store's Father's Day promotion.

An appalled shopper contacted the Citizen after seeing the book entitled The Crimes Of Josef Fritzl prominently displayed in the Vimy Road supermarket.

The book, by Stefanie Marsh and Bojan Pancevski, tells of the story of how "loving father" Fritzl locked his daughter into an Austrian cellar for 24 years and sired seven children by her, murdering one of them.

The woman shopper, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "Am I alone in feeling appalled to see a book entitled The Crimes Of Josef Fritzl on display as a suggested gift for Father's Day?

"It's hardly an appropriate Father's Day gift, I would have thought."
But Tesco vigorously defended the book saying it would smack of censorship to remove certain books because some people found them offensive.

A spokesman said: "It's a book about a true crime and fathers and people in general are interested in things like this, books about the war, serial killers etc.

"It's not a vulgar or grotesque book. It's a serious book about a very serious crime.

"It would be touching on censorship if we removed it. Where would we draw the line? Would you like us to go through every DVD we sell removing those that some may find offensive ?

"Tesco are comfortable selling this book. Crime fiction and non-fiction are very popular. This was a high-profile case that occurred in recent times.

"I wouldn't be comfortable buying it as a Father's Day gift, but I wouldn't want to tell other people not to. No-one is being forced to buy it."

>> Do you think a book about a man who rapes and imprisons his daughter is a suitable gift for Father's Day? We'd like to hear your views. email news@lbobserver.co.uk