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04/12/2008
Jailed Liverpool Fan Takes Case To High Court
A Liverpool football fan who is jailed in Bulgaria, is due to take his bid for freedom to the High Court in London, (pictured).
Michael Shields, 22, is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria. The barman was attacked following Liverpool's Champions League final victory in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2005.
Shields - who maintains his innocence - was initially jailed for 15 years, but was transferred to the UK in 2006. He was convicted of attempted murder after a paving slab was dropped on barman Martin Georgiev's head.
He is serving the remainder of his sentence - which was reduced to 10 years on appeal in Bulgaria - at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria.
The 22-year-old is seeking a judicial review, after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to issue a free pardon.
The legal challenge will examine whether there are powers to "grant a pardon to repatriated prisoners wrongly convicted in a foreign jurisdiction".
Meanwhile, the Fair Trials Abroad have described his conviction as a blatant miscarriage of justice.
Liverpool FC also showed their support for the 22-year-old during the warm up for Monday night's game against West Ham at Anfield, by wearing t-shirts bearing the words 'Free Michael Now', and also displaying the phrase as a mosaic in the Kop.
(JM)
Michael Shields, 22, is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria. The barman was attacked following Liverpool's Champions League final victory in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2005.
Shields - who maintains his innocence - was initially jailed for 15 years, but was transferred to the UK in 2006. He was convicted of attempted murder after a paving slab was dropped on barman Martin Georgiev's head.
He is serving the remainder of his sentence - which was reduced to 10 years on appeal in Bulgaria - at HMP Haverigg in Cumbria.
The 22-year-old is seeking a judicial review, after Justice Secretary Jack Straw refused to issue a free pardon.
The legal challenge will examine whether there are powers to "grant a pardon to repatriated prisoners wrongly convicted in a foreign jurisdiction".
Meanwhile, the Fair Trials Abroad have described his conviction as a blatant miscarriage of justice.
Liverpool FC also showed their support for the 22-year-old during the warm up for Monday night's game against West Ham at Anfield, by wearing t-shirts bearing the words 'Free Michael Now', and also displaying the phrase as a mosaic in the Kop.
(JM)
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17 December 2008
Jailed Liverpool Fan Wins High Court Bid
A Liverpool football fan who was jailed in Bulgaria for attempted murder, has won a High Court battle in his bid for a free pardon. Michael Shields, 22, is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria. The barman was attacked following Liverpool's Champions League final victory in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2005.
Jailed Liverpool Fan Wins High Court Bid
A Liverpool football fan who was jailed in Bulgaria for attempted murder, has won a High Court battle in his bid for a free pardon. Michael Shields, 22, is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria. The barman was attacked following Liverpool's Champions League final victory in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2005.
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Convicted Killer Pleads Guilty To Graham Buck Murder
Convicted killer Ian John McLoughlin has pleaded guilty to the murder of Graham Buck, who died trying to help his neighbour in Little Gaddesden, Hertfordshire, in July. 55-year-old McLoughlin was on day release from prison when he fatally stabbed Graham Buck (66) in the neck.
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Brothers 'Win' Hospital Poisoning Case
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mostly dry south and east, patchy light rain west and north through much of the day. A band of heavier rain crosses central and northern parts in the morning Maximum temperature 13 °C.Tonight:Dry in the southeast at first otherwise widespread light rain or drizzle for most, turning to clear spells and a few showers towards morning. Minimum temperature 5 °C.
