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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Shields parents meet Jack Straw | Shields parents meet Jack Straw |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The parents of jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields have met Justice Secretary Jack Straw ahead of his decision on whether to grant a pardon. | |
| The 22-year-old is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final. | The 22-year-old is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final. |
| His parents, Michael Snr and Maria, met Mr Straw in his constituency at Blackburn Town Hall at 1130 BST. | |
| Mr Shields called on Mr Straw "to do the right thing and free my son". | Mr Shields called on Mr Straw "to do the right thing and free my son". |
| In July, Mr Straw made a provisional ruling not to release Shields and issue him with a pardon. | In July, Mr Straw made a provisional ruling not to release Shields and issue him with a pardon. |
| Shields' legal team then had 28 days to challenge the decision and make new representations to the justice secretary. | Shields' legal team then had 28 days to challenge the decision and make new representations to the justice secretary. |
| 'Social compassion' | 'Social compassion' |
| His father said: "I want Mr Straw to look at the evidence presented which shows Michael is innocent. | His father said: "I want Mr Straw to look at the evidence presented which shows Michael is innocent. |
| "We want him to have some social compassion. We are led to believe this will be the last time we can make our case before he makes a final ruling on the pardon. | "We want him to have some social compassion. We are led to believe this will be the last time we can make our case before he makes a final ruling on the pardon. |
| "Only he has the power to free Michael. | "Only he has the power to free Michael. |
| "I hope and pray that is the decision he comes to." | "I hope and pray that is the decision he comes to." |
| Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, a long-time supporter of Shields' campaign, and Cllr Joe Anderson, from Liverpool City Council, joined the family. | |
| Shields, from Edge Hill, said he was in bed when the barman was attacked and has always maintained his innocence. | Shields, from Edge Hill, said he was in bed when the barman was attacked and has always maintained his innocence. |
| The barman Martin Georgiev had a rock dropped on his head in Varna, where Shields, like a number of Liverpool fans, had broken the journey home from Istanbul. | The barman Martin Georgiev had a rock dropped on his head in Varna, where Shields, like a number of Liverpool fans, had broken the journey home from Istanbul. |
| Shields, then 18, was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was reduced to 10 years on appeal. | Shields, then 18, was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was reduced to 10 years on appeal. |
| He is currently serving the remainder of his sentence in Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute in Appleton Thorn, Warrington. |