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Pardon appeal for Shields refused Pardon appeal for Shields refused
(20 minutes later)
Jailed football fan Michael Shields has had an appeal for a pardon provisionally refused by Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Jailed Liverpool football fan Michael Shields has had an appeal for a pardon provisionally refused by Justice Secretary Jack Straw.
The 22-year-old was jailed for 15 years for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman after his team's victory in the Champions League Final in 2005.The 22-year-old was jailed for 15 years for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman after his team's victory in the Champions League Final in 2005.
High Court judges ruled Justice Secretary Jack Straw had the power to grant Shields a pardon in December. High Court judges ruled in December that Mr Straw had the power to grant Shields a pardon in December.
Shields, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, has always maintained his innocence.Shields, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, has always maintained his innocence.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Justice said: "Following a detailed and careful consideration of all the relevant evidence the Justice Secretary Jack Straw has made a provisional decision that the application for a free pardon from Mr Michael Shields should be refused.A statement issued by the Ministry of Justice said: "Following a detailed and careful consideration of all the relevant evidence the Justice Secretary Jack Straw has made a provisional decision that the application for a free pardon from Mr Michael Shields should be refused.
"Mr Straw has made his decision in accordance with the High Court judgment of 17 December 2008 which indicated that, in order to grant a free pardon, he would have to be satisfied that Mr Shields was morally and technically innocent.""Mr Straw has made his decision in accordance with the High Court judgment of 17 December 2008 which indicated that, in order to grant a free pardon, he would have to be satisfied that Mr Shields was morally and technically innocent."
I have spoken to Michael and he is absolutely distraught Michael Shields Snr, Shields' fatherI have spoken to Michael and he is absolutely distraught Michael Shields Snr, Shields' father
"This is a very high test and the Justice Secretary has provisionally concluded that on the evidence he currently has, that test is not met. Shields has been told he can make further representations to Mr Straw, who will then make a final decision. "This is a very high test and the justice secretary has provisionally concluded that on the evidence he currently has, that test is not met."
The football fan is currently serving his sentence at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute, in Appleton Thorn, Warrington. Before the High Court ruling in December Mr Straw had always argued he had no authority to intervene in the case.
He is already due for release in May 2010. Shields has been told he can make further representations to Mr Straw, who will then make a final decision.
A government committee was set up by Mr Straw to review new evidence which came to light after Shields' trial in Bulgaria, which cast doubt on his original conviction. The football fan is serving his sentence at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute, in Appleton Thorn, Warrington.
Shields was with a group of friends who visited the Golden Sands resort in Varna, Bulgaria, after the club's Champions League win. He is due for release in May 2010.
He was arrested with several others by local police on 30 May 2005 after barman Martin Georgiev was hit on the head with a paving slab, suffering a fracture skull. Mr Straw ordered that new evidence should be looked at which cast doubt on his original conviction in Bulgaria.
He was convicted later that year and transferred to serve out his sentence, which was reduced on appeal to 10 years, in the UK in 2006. Shields was with a group of friends who visited the Golden Sands resort in Varna, Bulgaria, after the club's Champions League win in Istanbul.
Shields' father Michael Snr said: "We are absolutely devastated. I have spoken to Michael and he is absolutely distraught. He was arrested with several others by local police on 30 May 2005 after barman Martin Georgiev was hit on the head with a paving slab, suffering a fractured skull.
He was convicted later that year and transferred to the UK in 2006 to complete his sentence, which was reduced on appeal to 10 years.
Shields' father, also Michael, said: "We are absolutely devastated. I have spoken to Michael and he is absolutely distraught.
"I don't know how much more we can take as a family. One minute we are expecting him to be pardoned and released then the next minute all our hopes are dashed."I don't know how much more we can take as a family. One minute we are expecting him to be pardoned and released then the next minute all our hopes are dashed.
"All I can say is that Michael, his family and all the campaigners are absolutely heartbroken ." "All I can say is that Michael, his family and all the campaigners are absolutely heartbroken."
Mr Shields Snr, along with his wife Marie, have led the campaign to see their son freed. Mr Shields, along with his wife Marie, have led the campaign to have their son freed.
Shields' solicitor Jon Wheate told BBC News: "We believe the evidence is overwhelming and any right-minded person will look at it and see that.
"It is Michael Shields we should all be feeling for."
Mr Wheate revealed he was only made aware that the pardon had been refused in a call from his client.