The Liverpool fan jailed for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian
man in 2005 has received a pardon from the Justice Secretary Jack
Straw.
There has been a sustained campaign for the release of Michael
Shields ever since he was jailed for 15 years for the attack on
Martin Georgiev on May 30, 2005 in the Black sea resort of Golden
Sands Bulgaria.
Shields was convicted in July 2005 after being found guilty in a
Bulgaria court of attacking Georgiev in a drunken brawl in the
small coastal resort. The 22-year-old was in Bulgaria as he
travelled home from Istanbul, where he had watched Liverpool win
the 2005 Champions League.
Shields had always protested his innocence and in 2006 his
sentence was reduced from 15 to ten years. In November of the same
year he was returned to the UK and placed in HMP Hindley in Wigan. Straw had refused to pardon him in
July.
Reports suggest Shields will be released from prison almost
immediately.
His solicitor, John Wheate, said the Liverpool fan was
“absolutely ecstatic” when given the news earlier today.
His parents had been told of the decision in a telephone call
with Straw.
“I don’t know if Michael has been released yet, but I can
confirm he has been pardoned and will be released today,” Wheate
said. “His parents spoke to Jack Straw earlier this morning, and I
have spoken to Michael myself.
“At first he couldn’t believe it after all these years and
knockbacks. But now he is absolutely ecstatic, and so are his
family.”