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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Jailed fan anticipates UK return | Jailed fan anticipates UK return |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields has spoken of his relief at his impending return from Bulgaria. | |
| Shields, 19, was jailed in July 2005 for the attempted murder of a barman during a brawl in Varna. He has consistently denied any involvement. | Shields, 19, was jailed in July 2005 for the attempted murder of a barman during a brawl in Varna. He has consistently denied any involvement. |
| Last week, authorities authorised his transfer to Britain to serve the rest of his 10-year sentence. | Last week, authorities authorised his transfer to Britain to serve the rest of his 10-year sentence. |
| Speaking to the BBC, Shields said: "I'm just happy it's over and it can only get better from now on." | |
| He has spent almost 18 months behind bars in Bulgaria after travelling to the Black Sea resort in the wake of Liverpool's Champions League victory in May 2005. | He has spent almost 18 months behind bars in Bulgaria after travelling to the Black Sea resort in the wake of Liverpool's Champions League victory in May 2005. |
| You focus more on different things like writing letters to people, looking forward to the visits Michael Shields | You focus more on different things like writing letters to people, looking forward to the visits Michael Shields |
| His family has lobbied tirelessly to prove his innocence, backed by a campaign team based in his native Liverpool. | His family has lobbied tirelessly to prove his innocence, backed by a campaign team based in his native Liverpool. |
| "They've been the ones doing everything while I've been sat here doing nothing," said Shields. | "They've been the ones doing everything while I've been sat here doing nothing," said Shields. |
| "They've helped the family through everything, especially my mum and dad and sisters. | "They've helped the family through everything, especially my mum and dad and sisters. |
| "Without their support it would be a lot worse for them." | "Without their support it would be a lot worse for them." |
| The teenager revealed that after a difficult first few months he was now coping with life in a Bulgarian prison. | The teenager revealed that after a difficult first few months he was now coping with life in a Bulgarian prison. |
| "You focus more on different things like writing letters to people, looking forward to the visits - they pass the time," he said. | "You focus more on different things like writing letters to people, looking forward to the visits - they pass the time," he said. |
| "I've learnt to take it better now than I did at the beginning." | "I've learnt to take it better now than I did at the beginning." |
| Martin Georgiev suffered a serious head injury | Martin Georgiev suffered a serious head injury |
| Authorities in Bulgaria said that Shields could be transferred to the UK because the court-imposed £90,000 fine had been paid. | Authorities in Bulgaria said that Shields could be transferred to the UK because the court-imposed £90,000 fine had been paid. |
| The money was collected by his family and supporters in a fundraising campaign. | The money was collected by his family and supporters in a fundraising campaign. |
| Shields does not yet know exactly when he will be moved, although it is expected to be within days. | Shields does not yet know exactly when he will be moved, although it is expected to be within days. |
| "I feel like a bit of a dream sometimes, thinking I can have a dream about home and it can seem real. | "I feel like a bit of a dream sometimes, thinking I can have a dream about home and it can seem real. |
| "Then I wake up and think, 'Oh no'. I'm still here and still waiting to go home." | "Then I wake up and think, 'Oh no'. I'm still here and still waiting to go home." |
| Shields was convicted of the attempted murder of Martin Georgiev, who was attacked with a concrete slab. | Shields was convicted of the attempted murder of Martin Georgiev, who was attacked with a concrete slab. |
| Shields claimed to the court that he was asleep at the time. | |
| Another Liverpool man, 20-year-old Graham Sankey, made a written confession to the attack, although his solicitor now insists his client was referring to a different brawl. | Another Liverpool man, 20-year-old Graham Sankey, made a written confession to the attack, although his solicitor now insists his client was referring to a different brawl. |