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.

Version 1 Version 2
Pardon for football fan Shields Pardon for football fan Shields
(29 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 after being detained for four years over an attack in Bulgaria.
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, from Liverpool, will be released after he was convicted of the attempted murder of a barman.
He was jailed in 2005 for the attack, which took place after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final. He was found guilty in 2005 after his team's win in that year's Champions League final.
His parents, Michael Snr and Maria, have campaigned for his release since he was convicted. Mr Straw pardoned him after deciding he was "morally and technically innocent". Mr Shields was said to be "ecstatic".
In a statement, Mr Straw said that during the last meeting with the Shields family on 28 August "important new evidence came to light". Mr Shields' parents, Michael Snr and Maria, have campaigned for his release since he was convicted.
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. In a statement, Mr Straw said that during the last meeting with the Shields family on 28 August 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 At first he couldn't believe it after all these years and knock-backs John Wheate 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".Mr Straw added that he believed Mr Shields to be "morally and technically innocent".
Mr Shields has been held in Thorn Cross young offenders institution in Warrington after serving the initial part of his sentence in Bulgaria.
The 22-year-old's solicitor, John Wheate, said the jailed fan was "absolutely ecstatic" when he was given the news earlier.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. He said his client was told by the prison governor that he would be a free man and his family were informed by Mr Straw over the telephone.
'Absolutely ecstatic''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. Mr Wheate said: "At first he couldn't believe it after all these years and knock-backs.
"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.""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.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.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."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.""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.Mrs Ellman added: "Jack Straw has brought justice to an innocent young man.
"This is a day for celebration.""This is a day for celebration."