Liverpool fan Michael Shields, who was jailed for
15 years in Bulgaria for the attempted murder of a barman, has been
pardoned, his lawyer said on Wednesday.
Shields, 22, was convicted after a disturbance following
Liverpool's European Cup victory in Turkey in 2005. He was later
transferred to a prison in the UK.
His pardon follows a campaign by his family, MPs, clergymen,
Liverpool players and many others, who believe he is innocent.
His lawyer said he would be freed on Wednesday. Shields'
solicitor John Wheate said the jailed fan was "absolutely ecstatic"
when he was given the news earlier today.
His parents had been told of the decision in a telephone call
with Mr Straw this morning. Mr Wheate said: "I don't know if
Michael has been released yet but I can confirm he has been
pardoned and will be released today.
"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 knock backs. "But now he is absolutely ecstatic
and so are his family."
Mr Shields was arrested with three other men after a Bulgarian
man, Martin Georgiev, was seriously assaulted in the Black Sea
resort of Varna in the early hours May 30, 2005, after a Champions
League match.
Mr Georgiev had come out of his bar to investigate a fracas only
to be punched, kicked and knocked to the ground. He later testified
that Mr Shields had deliberately struck him on the head with a rock
as he lay on the ground — hence the charge of attempted murder.
Justice Secretary Mr Straw announced his provisional decision
not to grant a pardon on July 2. But at a meeting with Shields'
parents on August 28, new evidence emerged which convinced him of
Shields's innocence, he said in a statement.
Following that meeting he has recommended to the Queen that
Shields be pardoned. Shields will walk free from prison today, he
confirmed. Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, who
has been campaigning for her constituent Shields's release ever
since his conviction, said today: "I am overjoyed at Jack Straw's
decision.
"Michael has suffered a gross miscarriage of justice,
incarcerated for four years for a crime he did not commit and for
which another man has confessed. "I pay tribute to Michael's family
and the people of Liverpool for their remarkable courage and
persistence."
Mrs Ellman added: "Jack Straw has brought justice to an innocent
young man. This is a day for celebration." At the family home in
Wavertree, Liverpool, his parents and other relatives appeared to
be preparing to leave to collect Shields from Thorn Cross Young
Offender Institution in Warrington, Cheshire.
In a statement issued by the Diocese of Liverpool, the Bishop of
Liverpool the Rt Rev James Jones, said: "I have always believed in
Michael's innocence." I am so happy for him. I saw him a few weeks
ago and was impressed by how he has coped.
"He and his family have been through a terrible ordeal. I hold
them in my prayers as they rebuild their lives. "I commend the
Justice Secretary for giving this case such close personal
attention."
In his statement, Mr Straw said he was told by Shields' parents
about a meeting between members of the Shields family and another
man accused of the killing.
Mr Straw was told the man, who is not named, confessed to the
attack on the second day of Michael Shields' trial in Bulgaria.
He said: "I was told in the course of the visit that the man
made an oral confession in front of several other people.
"This episode, I was told, happened on 22 July 2005, a day after
the start of Mr Shields' trial in Bulgaria." "I will not set out in
this statement all the evidence that has come to light over the
last two weeks but suffice it to say that there is very good reason
to believe I was being told the truth.
"This in my view profoundly changed the credibility of the
various accounts of what actually happened in this case. "I have
concluded, having looked carefully at all the evidence now
available, that Michael Shields is telling the truth when he says
he is innocent of the attempted murder of which he was convicted in
Bulgaria.
"That being so I have recommended to Her Majesty the Queen that
he should be granted a free pardon. Mr Shields is being released
from prison today and will return home to his family a free
man."