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Shields speaks of 'living hell' Shields speaks of 'living hell'
(30 minutes later)
Freed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields, who has been pardoned of an attack on a Bulgarian barman, has spoken of his "living hell". Liverpool football fan Michael Shields, who has been freed after serving four years for attacking a Bulgarian barman, has spoken of his "living hell".
The 22-year-old was convicted of attempted murder after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final. The 22-year-old supporter was convicted of attempted murder after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw issued the royal pardon, saying that Mr Shields was "morally and technically innocent". Justice Secretary Jack Straw issued a royal pardon, saying that Mr Shields was "morally and technically innocent".
In a statement on his behalf Mr Shields said: "The last four years have been the hardest four years of my life."In a statement on his behalf Mr Shields said: "The last four years have been the hardest four years of my life."
'Mixed emotions''Mixed emotions'
Mr Shields, from Liverpool, said his life had been "shattered by the failure of two legal systems, one here in the UK and one in Bulgaria".Mr Shields, from Liverpool, said his life had been "shattered by the failure of two legal systems, one here in the UK and one in Bulgaria".
"Today is a happy day for me but one of mixed emotions too," he said in a statement read by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd James Jones. "Today is a happy day for me but one of mixed emotions too," he said in a statement read by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend James Jones.
Michael Shields:" "Today is the first day of the rest of my life"
"I am a free man, yes, but it should not have come to this.""I am a free man, yes, but it should not have come to this."
Mr Shields appeared at a press conference after he had been reunited with his family, who have campaigned for his release since he was convicted of the attack against barman Martin Georgiev in Varna. Mr Shields appeared at a press conference after being reunited with his family, who have campaigned for his release since he was convicted of the attack against Martin Georgiev in Varna.
He spoke of his gratitude for the "tireless campaigning" to secure his release.He spoke of his gratitude for the "tireless campaigning" to secure his release.
"Most of all I want to thank my mum and dad, my sisters, my family and my friends, who never for one minute doubted my innocence and who stood by me every step of the way," Mr Shields said."Most of all I want to thank my mum and dad, my sisters, my family and my friends, who never for one minute doubted my innocence and who stood by me every step of the way," Mr Shields said.
"I couldn't have made it without their love.""I couldn't have made it without their love."
Attack confession Maria and Michael Snr have been fighting for their son's freedom
Mr Shields was convicted of the attack in July 2005 and was jailed for 15 years, despite protesting his innocence.Mr Shields was convicted of the attack in July 2005 and was jailed for 15 years, despite protesting his innocence.
Another man confessed to the attack, but the evidence was ruled inadmissible at Mr Shields' trial.Another man confessed to the attack, but the evidence was ruled inadmissible at Mr Shields' trial.
In April 2006 his sentence was reduced to 10 years, and seven months later he moved to serve the rest of his sentence in the UK. In April 2006 Mr Shields' sentence was reduced to 10 years, and seven months later he moved to serve the rest of his jail term in the UK.
A year later Mr Shields passed a lie detector test and in 2008 a judicial review at the High Court saw two senior judges rule that Justice Secretary Jack Straw did have the "power and jurisdiction" to exercise the ancient royal prerogative of mercy in his case. A year later Mr Shields passed a lie detector test and in 2008 two senior High Court judges ruled that Mr Straw did have the "power and jurisdiction" to exercise the ancient royal prerogative of mercy in his case.
The decision to release Mr Shields was announced on Wednesday morning by Mr Straw. The justice secretary had always maintained he did not have this power.
He said that fresh evidence had come to light during a meeting with the Shields family on 28 August. My priority now is to spend time with my loved ones, to slowly begin to plan for a future as an innocent man Michael Shields
The decision to release Mr Shields was announced on Wednesday morning by Mr Straw. He said that fresh evidence had come to light during a meeting with the Shields family on 28 August.
Mr Shields said he extended his sympathies to Mr Georgiev.
"He and his family, like me and mine, have been denied justice for four long years," he said.
"My priority now is to spend time with my loved ones, to slowly begin to plan for a future as an innocent man."
Mr Shields also thanked his supporters, including both Liverpool and Everton fans.
"Your voices were heard.
"Thanks to you, I knew I would never walk alone."