Michael Shields: Last four years a living hell
Michael Shields says last four years since being jailed in Bulgaria have been "living hell"
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Wednesday, 09, Sep 2009 05:31
Michael Shields has described his four-year, three-month long ordeal since being jailed for a crime he has consistently claimed he did not commit as a "living hell".
The 22-year-old Liverpool fan was freed earlier today after being pardoned by justice secretary Jack Straw for an attack upon a Bulgarian barman in 2005.
"The last four years have been the hardest of my life; a living hell," a statement read on his behalf at a press conference said this afternoon.
"Today is the first day of the rest of my life. But I wouldn't be here if it were not for the love, support and tireless campaigning by a number of people."
Mr Shields was just 18 when he was sentenced to 15 years, cut to ten years on appeal, for the attempted murder of Martin Georgiev on May 30th 2005 in the Black Sea resort of Golden Sands after Liverpool won the Champions League in Istanbul.
Today he reserved special thanks for his parents, sisters, family and friends - as well as a host of other supporters - who "never for one minute doubted my innocence and stood by me every step of the way".
"It is a hard thing to be locked away for a crime you did not commit. I was 18 then, I'm 22 now," he said.
"I will now try to rebuild a life shattered by two legal systems, one here in the UK and one in Bulgaria. Today is a happy day for me but one of mixed emotion too.
"I am a free man yes but it should not have come to this. I face a hard battle to resume my life, to rebuild friendships and find a job.
"I want to extend my sympathies to Martin Georgiev, who was a victim of an unprovoked attack. His and my family have been denied justice for four years.
"I look forward to spending time with my loved ones and slowly plan for the future as a free man."
Standing up to deliver a short statement himself, Mr Shields said a "massive thank you" to all the people out there, including Liverpool and Everton fans who wrote letters and marched in support of his case.
"With your support I knew I would never walk alone," he added.
Earlier today Mr Straw announced the surprise pardon of Mr Shields after new corroborative evidence showed another man had confessed to the attack upon Mr Georgiev.
"I have concluded, having looked carefully at all the evidence now available, that Michael Shields is telling the truth when he says he is innocent of the attempted murder of which he was convicted in Bulgaria," the justice secretary said in a statement today.
Jack Straw's Michael Shields statement in full
Pete Weatherby, Mr Shield's barrister, said it was "very regrettable that it has taken four years and three months of Michael's life to reach where we are today".
"It would be churlish to go further than this," he added.
Liverpool Football Club said it was "delighted" to learn of Mr Shields' release.
"It's great news that Michael has been granted a pardon by the justice secretary Jack Straw," a statement said.
"We know how difficult the last four years have been for Michael and his family and everyone at the club, the staff, the players and the fans have tried to support them during this time.
"We hope now that Michael and his family will be able to move on with their lives and look to the future."