FREE! Michael Shields released - receives Royal pardon

Jailed Liverpool Michael Shields is being released with a royal pardon his solicitor has confirmed.

The long-awaited decision by Justice Secretary Jack Straw sweeps aside the 2005 conviction of the Liverpool fan for attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria.

Michael, 22, has been eligible for a pardon since last December when the High Court ruled that it would be legal under UK law.

Since then the student's release has been hampered by legal red tape.

First a top QC reviewed the case for Jack Straw and that was followed by the Justice Secretary ordering a Merseyside Police investigation of the evidence in the case.

Michael's conviction for attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria in 2005 was identified as a potential miscarriage of justice in the High Court Judicial Review.

Then on 2nd July Mr Straw said he was minded not to grant a pardon and asked for further evidence before making a final decision.

Michael's solicitor John Weate said: "I have spoken to Michael and he has been told the Jack Straw has granted a royal pardon.

"He was informed of the decision by by the governor this morning. He was ecstatic and I'm delighted that an innocent man is finally being freed."

Michael has been in custody for 1563 days - since he was arrested in the Black Sea resort of Varna30th May 2005 and has been serving a ten year sentence at Thorn Cross Prison near Warrington.

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Get in, brilliant news

Fantastic news and hope gets a lot of money for compensation for the amount of injustice that was done in thiscase.

Just seen this myself. Chuffed to bits!

BRILLANT!

 It is not before time,hope he gets a good reception when he shows up at Anfield as he surely will.Good on you Michael and all the best to you,I hope you can put all this behind you and start enjoying life again.

About time too.  Fantastic news.

Four years of long campaigning by his family, friends and Liverpool fans and finally some justice at the end.

Will Saturday be too soon to parade him on the pitch so the Liverpool fans can welcome him home?

Fantastic news. Made my day, that has.

Chuffed to bits for the lad. Let's hope he hasn't been left too scarred. Good luck Michael.

Ah thats boss. Long overdue. Lets hope the lad can get on with enjoying the rest of his life now

Great news!

How long did it take for Straw to see the bloody light though?!

Just logged onto Anfield On-line and saw this as the headline, I'm absolutely over the moon for Michael and his family, all I can say is that it's about time as well, that lad has been stuck in prison for all these years  I bet they'll have some party for him when he gets home.

Nice one Michael, made up for you, enjoy yourself, you damn well deserve it.

This is great news.

An innocent man has finally been freed, a man who should never of even been in a court room nevermind the brainless corrupt tw*ts that threw him behind bars by word of the mouth.

4 years served for a crime he did not commit, I wouldn't be surprised if he sewed for compensation.  That's 4 years he'll never get back and thanks to that stupid F***ing Waiter that started pointing fingers, and the actual perpetrator who commited the crime in the first place.  You won't ever see me on holiday in Bulgaria!

Life goes on, let's let the lad get on with the rest of his life, and all the scumbags that have abused his family over the years to leave it be.

YNWA Michael Shields

Brilliant news. Its a shame he wasted those years in jail and didn't even deserve to be there.

Justice has been served, a bit late but the hard work of campaigning has paid off.

Made up for him and his family , welcome home lad , shame it took so long

YES!

Get in,made up for the lad.Cant understand why it took so long but thats beuracrats for you.
Bet he cant wait to get to the match.

Made up for the lad.

Just seen it then on the news him hugging his family and the lad from the echo (who's a blue) but who has done a brilliant job covering the story for the last four years.

And to receive a pardon on top is excellent news. He can scream it from the rooftops now, HE'S NOT GUILTY!!

That is fantastic news - I'm made up for him.

Shame it is very late, but at least now he can get on with his life.

Brilliant news, absolutely fantastic!

Excellent news this.  Chuffed to bits for him.

love him to be at the match on Saturday!

love him to be at the match on Saturday!

I'd wait until the lad has fully acclimatised himself with being home from prison. Deserves it though!