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Shields decision 'within weeks' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Justice Secretary Jack Straw will make a decision "within weeks" on whether to pardon jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields, his parents have said. | |
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, put their case to Mr Straw during a meeting at Blackburn Town Hall earlier. | |
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 minister. | |
'Free Michael' | |
It included looking at a report by Merseyside Police, which said had Shields' been tried in the UK, on the evidence used, he would have deserved a re-trial. | |
Speaking to BBC News, Mr Shields Snr called the meeting "very productive". | |
He added: "Mr Straw listened to us in detail and to the information from Merseyside Police. | |
"He told us we would have a decision on the pardon within weeks not months. We just hope and pray it is to free Michael. | |
Mr Straw spoke to the BBC after the meeting | |
"I spoke to Michael before and told him how it went, but he doesn't want to get his hopes up yet." | |
Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, a long-time supporter of Shields' campaign, and Councillor 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 victim, Martin Georgiev, had a rock dropped on his head in Varna, Bulgaria, 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. | He is currently serving the remainder of his sentence in Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute in Appleton Thorn, Warrington. |
Shields is due for release in May 2010. |