Witness can prove Shields is innocent
Feb 17 2007
by Nick Coligan, Liverpool Echo
VITAL new evidence has emerged which could prove Michael Shields’s innocence.
A Swedish woman has come forward to say she saw someone sleeping in the 20-year-old’s bed at the time of the attack on Bulgarian waiter Martin Georgiev.
And the receptionist at the hotel where Michael was staying has also revealed he saw three men return after Mr Georgiev was attacked. He said he saw Michael go up to his room earlier than that.
Although the Swedish woman is not 100% certain it was the Liverpool fan, campaigners say it corroborates Michael’s account that he was in his hotel room when the fight happened.
The woman, who went back to the hotel with one of the former student’s friends, was too scared to come forward initially.
But she agreed to be interviewed by a TV crew working on a documentary about the attack and Michael’s subsequent 10-year sentence for attempted murder.
Cllr Joe Anderson, who is spearheading the campaign to overturn Michael’s conviction, this week handed the footage to Home Secretary John Reid.
He hopes to win top-level government support as Michael’s family prepares to go to the European Court of Human Rights.
Cllr Anderson said: “This is powerful new evidence.
“The Swedish girl went back with one of the lads to their hotel room, and saw someone in Michael’s bed.
“She had had a few drinks and, because of the way the person was lying in bed, could not see his face. But we know it was Michael.
“Also, the hotel’s night receptionist saw three men returning about 20 minutes after the assault on Martin Georgiev. He had seen Michael go up to his room earlier.”
Cllr Anderson updated Dr Reid on the case during his visit to Liverpool this week.
Michael is at Hindley young offender’s unit, near Wigan, after supporters helped raise £80,000 to bring him back from Bulgaria.
Cllr Anderson said: “I am not happy he is going to stay incarcerated when the government knows he did not receive a fair trial.
“We want the government to do something and take on board the seriousness of our claims.”
Dr Reid said he has been kept up to date with Michael’s case by prisons minister Gerry Sutcliffe, who has met Cllr Anderson several times.
He added: “It is not as simple as the government intervening in decisions that have been taken under the rule of law, whether it is here or elsewhere.
“But we have tried to assist by making sure Michael Shields was brought home on humanitarian grounds, so it was easier for his family to visit.
“I am aware there are local concerns, and if there is anything we can do, then Gerry will look at that.”
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Brilliant news, let's hope ey
