This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/merseyside/8245760.stm
The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Pardon for football fan Shields | Pardon for football fan Shields |
(21 minutes later) | |
Liverpool fan Michael Shields has been pardoned by Justice Secretary Jack Straw. | Liverpool fan Michael Shields has been pardoned by Justice Secretary Jack Straw. |
The 22-year-old, who is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria, is set to leave prison later. | The 22-year-old, who is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria, is set to leave prison later. |
He was jailed in 2005 for the attack, which took place after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final. | He was jailed in 2005 for the attack, which took place after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final. |
His parents, Michael Snr and Maria, have campaigned for his release since he was convicted. | His parents, Michael Snr and Maria, have campaigned for his release since he was convicted. |
In a statement, Mr Straw said that during the last meeting with the Shields family on 28 August "important new evidence came to light". | In a statement, Mr Straw said that during the last meeting with the Shields family on 28 August "important new evidence came to light". |
He was told about a visit by two members of the Shields family to the home of another man alleged to be responsible for the crime. | He was told about a visit by two members of the Shields family to the home of another man alleged to be responsible for the crime. |
At first he couldn't believe it after all these years and knock-backs John Weate, Michael Shields' solicitor | |
He said: "I was told that in the course of the visit that man made an oral confession to the crime in front of several other people. | He said: "I was told that in the course of the visit that man made an oral confession to the crime in front of several other people. |
"When looked at alongside all the previously available evidence, (it) has now satisfied me that Mr Shields meets the high test set by the court." | "When looked at alongside all the previously available evidence, (it) has now satisfied me that Mr Shields meets the high test set by the court." |
Mr Straw added that he believed Mr Shields to be "morally and technically innocent". | |
The 22-year-old's solicitor, John Wheate, said the jailed fan was "absolutely ecstatic" when he was given the news earlier. | |
He said his client was told by the prison governor that he would be a free man at 0930 BST and his family were informed by Mr Straw over the telephone. | |
'Absolutely ecstatic' | |
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. | |
"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." | |
The pardon follows a campaign by the Shields family, MPs, clergymen, Liverpool players and others who believe he is innocent. | |
Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, who has been campaigning for Mr Shields' release since he was convicted, said: "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." |