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Shields parents meet Jack Straw Shields decision 'within weeks'
(about 2 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. 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, met Mr Straw in his constituency at Blackburn Town Hall at 1130 BST. 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 justice secretary. Shields' legal team then had 28 days to challenge the decision and make new representations to the minister.
'Social compassion' 'Free Michael'
His father said: "I want Mr Straw to look at the evidence presented which shows Michael is innocent. 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.
"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. Speaking to BBC News, Mr Shields Snr called the meeting "very productive".
"Only he has the power to free Michael. He added: "Mr Straw listened to us in detail and to the information from Merseyside Police.
"I hope and pray that is the decision he comes to." "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.
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. 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 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 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.