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 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 after being detained for four years over an attack in Bulgaria. | |
The 22-year-old, from Liverpool, will be released after he was convicted of the attempted murder of a barman. | |
He was found guilty in 2005 after his team's win in that year's Champions League final. | |
Mr Straw pardoned him after deciding he was "morally and technically innocent". Mr Shields was said to be "ecstatic". | |
Mr Shields' 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 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 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 and his family were informed by Mr Straw over the telephone. | |
'Absolutely ecstatic' | 'Absolutely ecstatic' |
Mr Wheate said: "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." |