Liverpool Fan, Michael Shields was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a crime he
insists he did not commit. Aged just 18, barely more than a boy, Michael Shields
is now in a prison cell thousands of miles from his family and friends. Michael’s
nightmare began when he boarded a flight to Bulgaria on the 23rd of
May with a group of friends. On arrival in Bulgaria he took a coach to Istanbul where
he watched Liverpool's Champions League victory on the Wednesday night.
On returning to his Hotel, in the Black Sea city of Varna.
Michael & his friends were in triumphant mood. The Champions
League celebrations had gone really on the Sunday, they had
a few drinks in the town before going back to the hotel and
going to bed at around 3.30am. That night, Bulgarian waiter
Martin Georgiev, 25, was attacked and kicked by a group of
Liverpool fans, whilst he was trying to break up a brawl.
As he lay on the ground one of the group was said to have
hit him over the head with a paving stone.
The attack left Martin Georgiev the father-of-two with a three-inch
hole in his skull and part of his brain exposed. Michael Shields
and three other Liverpool fans, Anthony Wilson, Bradley Thompson
and Graham Sankey, were arrested
the following day in connection with the incident. Graham
Sankey, 20, an electrician from Anfield, was released following
a brief interview whilst Shields, Wilson and Thompson were
detained in a holding cell.
Michael Shields, from Wavertree, was later charged with attempted
murder whilst Wilson, 19, from Edge Hill, was charged with
hooliganism and possession of cannabis and was detained to
stand trial with Shields. Thompson was charged with hooliganism,
he received a suspended sentence. Subsequently Graham Sankey
has released a statement through his solicitor, David Kirwan,
confessing that he was the attacker. He admitted to the crime
after his conscience was raised after reading press reports
of Shields experiences in Bulgaria.
Bulgarian Justice
Following this confession, Michael, his family and his friends must have expected
him to be on the plane home, but in yet another
cruel twist the Judge refused to accept the confession as
admissible evidence. Michael's family, having already spent £20,000, will now
have to raise £71,000 to cover the court costs.
Song For Michael
The Michael Shields campaign has attracted interest from many people. We are fortunate that
two talented people have created a song and have allowed us
the rights to publish this song in order to raise funds to support
Michael's campaign.
Click here for more details.
Donations
The Criminal Information Agency.com and the Shields family, invites our readers to donate
to the Michael Shield legal fees fund. The Criminal Information
Agency.com does not have access to any money donated to this cause.
Donations made go directly into a paypal account linked to
the bank account of Michael Shields. Please support the Shields
family and make a donation.
Campaign Office
The Free Michael Shields campaign office have just opened their new
website.
It is staffed by volunteers and can be found at 3 Holland
Place, Liverpool. They can be contacted by phone on 0151 260
7165 or by email.
Please show them and Michael your support.
Free Michael Shields!
