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Jailed fan 'innocent' says report Jailed fan 'innocent' says report
(29 minutes later)
A confidential police report suggests that jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields may be innocent, the BBC has learned. A confidential police report suggests jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields may be innocent, the BBC has learned.
The Merseyside Police report, compiled for Justice Secretary Jack Straw, says if the case had happened in the UK, Shields may have been given an appeal.The Merseyside Police report, compiled for Justice Secretary Jack Straw, says if the case had happened in the UK, Shields may have been given an appeal.
He is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman in 2005.He is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman in 2005.
A new witness claims the attacker was not Shields, the report says. A new witness claims the attacker was not Shields, the report says. Mr Straw has denied Shields a pardon.
Attempted murder Michael Shields' parents told BBC reporter Liam O'Donoghue they were even angrier at Mr Straw following his announcement that he had provisionally decided not to allow their son to go free.
Michael Shields' parents told BBC reporter Liam O'Donoghue they were even angrier at Mr Straw following his announcement that he had provisionally decided not to pardon their son.
Mr Straw gave the family's legal team four weeks to come up with new evidence to convince him Shields was "morally and technically" innocent.Mr Straw gave the family's legal team four weeks to come up with new evidence to convince him Shields was "morally and technically" innocent.
Jamie Carragher, the Liverpool FC footballer, has also added his support to the family's "pardon" campaign. 'New witness' evidence'
"I was devastated when I heard the news, so God only knows how the family feel, and especially Michael himself," the player said. A statement from the Ministry of Justice said the Justice Secretary recognised that many would be disappointed by his decision but he "adopted the approach that the Court expected him to adopt".
"Mr Shields can now submit any further representations he may want to make, after which the Justice Secretary will make a final decision on the evidence before him.
"The Justice Secretary has to weigh up new witness' evidence alongside all the other evidence including witness evidence from Bulgaria and the decisions of the Bulgarian Courts. That is what the High Court indicated he should do."
High Court judges ruled in December that Mr Straw had the power to grant Shields a pardon.High Court judges ruled in December that Mr Straw had the power to grant Shields a pardon.
Shields, 22, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, has always maintained his innocence.Shields, 22, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, has always maintained his innocence.
He is serving his sentence at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute, in Appleton Thorn, Warrington, and is due to be released in May 2010.He is serving his sentence at Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute, in Appleton Thorn, Warrington, and is due to be released in May 2010.
No comment was available from the Ministry of Justice.