UK Pardons Bulgaria-Jailed Liverpool Fan Michael Shields

A file picture shows Liverpool soccer team supporter Michael Shields speaking with journalists at Varna prison. It has been announced on 09 September 2009 that Shields has been pardoned by British Justice Secretary Jack Straw. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Michael Shields, the Liverpool fan who is serving a 10-year sentence over the attempted murder of a Bulgarian bar tender in 2005, has been released.

Shields has been pardoned by the UK Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, on the grounds of the confession made by another Liverpool fan who said he had committed the crime, Novinite.com was told by a source from Radio City in Liverpool.

The 22-year-old is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a Bulgarian barman after his team's win in the 2005 Champions League final.

The victim, Martin Georgiev, had a rock dropped on his head in Varna, Bulgaria, where Shields, like a number of Liverpool fans, had broken the journey home from Istanbul.

Shields, then 18, was found guilty of attempted murder and sentenced to 15 years in prison, which was reduced to 10 years on appeal.

He has been serving the remainder of his sentence in Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute in Appleton Thorn, Warrington.

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