to be honest quite forgot about this poor chap, I'm so brought back to earth to think I might have problems, but taken into context I have absolutey no worries at all. To think there are groups like this and this site who keep issues like this and others to the foreground is a credit to all, i am honoured to be a small contributor to this site. Keep up the great work, my thoughts are with Michael Shields and his family..
MICHAEL SHIELDS ENJOYS DAY OF FREEDOM Michael Shields has enjoyed his first day of freedom on temporary release from jail. The 22 year old was allowed to spend Saturday with his family as a Government inquiry into his case continued. Given day release from Thorn Cross prison, in Warrington, he enjoyed a MacDonalds meal and went bowling with his parents, sisters, and other family members. His father Michael Snr said he was telephoned by the prison on Friday night to say his son would be given temporary release on licence the next day, but only in Warrington. He said: "It was a lovely day and we saw some joy in his face. We all went over in three cars and the kids were hanging off him all day. They were so happy and wouldn’t leave him alone. "The first thing we did was go to a MacDonalds near the prison and have a coffee and something to eat. Then we went and had a look around the shops and Michael bought some DVDs for his niece and nephew from HMV. "The kids were fighting over who could sit by him in the car. So in the end we had him in the middle on the back seat and one either side. "After we’d looked around the shops we went to Nando’s for our tea and Michael paid with some money we gave him. It was a special day and we enjoyed every moment of it. "It was very emotional for us when we took him back to the prison and had to say bye. We can only hope now that Mr Straw comes to his senses and realises he can end the heartache for us." The engineering student qualified for temporary day release shortly after being moved to the open jail, which holds 321 prisoners who each have a key to their single-room cells, last month. Last week Bishop of Liverpool James Jones wrote to Jack Straw to plead with him to waste no time carrying out the inquiry into Michael’s case which has been entrusted to top QC David Perry. High-profile Mr Perry is the barrister who advised the Government not to bring charges against anyone in the cash for honours scandal. He is also a deputy high court judge. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/mediawatch/drilldown/MW14114090112-1154.htm
Micheal shields Two years three months ago Micheal was jailed for a crime we all know he did not commit.The scum that did commit this awful crime are still free on the streets.There is a petition to the prime-minister asking the goverment to demand an investigation to be re-opened and new evidence heard http://www.michaelshieldspetition.co.uk
Given that Michael has now been in Prison for 4 years does anyone know what the update is on his situation? The Free Michael Shields website in this thread is blocked in work unfortunately!
Straw refuses to give Michael Shield a pardon A statement issued by the Ministry of Justice said: "Following a detailed and careful consideration of all the relevant evidence the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, has made a provisional decision that the application for a free pardon from Mr Michael Shields should be refused. "Mr Straw has made his decision in accordance with the High Court judgment of 17 December 2008 which indicated that, in order to grant a free pardon, he would have to be satisfied that Mr Shields was morally and technically innocent."
LIVERPOOL ECHO: JAILED Liverpool FC fan Michael Shields has been denied a pardon by the Justice Ministry. Shields was told at 2pm of the decision, with a statement from the Ministry saying: “Following a detailed and careful consideration of all the relevant evidence the Justice Secretary, Jack Straw, has made a provisional decision that the application for a free pardon from Mr Michael Shields should be refused. The Ministry of Justice has written to Mr Shields today to convey this decision. “The letter to Mr Shields provides a full explanation of the reasons for the Justice Secretary’s provisional decision. “Mr Straw has made his decision in accordance with the High Court judgment of 17 December 2008 which indicated that, in order to grant a free pardon, he would have to be satisfied that Mr Shields was morally and technically innocent. "The judgment stated: “In principle… the grant of a free pardon would appear to require a conclusion that, taking the Bulgarian courts’ judgment for what it is and without calling in question its correctness on the material which those courts considered, fresh evidence which the Bulgarian courts did not consider, taken with the material which they did consider and their judgment upon it justifies a conclusion that Michael Shields is morally and technically innocent.” “This is a very high test and the Justice Secretary has provisionally concluded that on the evidence he currently has that test is not met. “The Justice Secretary recognises, of course, that many will be disappointed by his decision. But in exercising this quasi-judicial function he has adopted the approach that the Court expected him to adopt. “Mr Shields can now submit any further representations he may want to make, after which the Justice Secretary will make a final decision on the evidence before him.” More to come on the story as we have it.
Gang of ****s on that government, god help everonye if they think his conviction and trial was not a joke ! Stay strong Michael
Contact details for Straw Jack can be contacted in a variety of ways: By telephone: 01254 52317 By email: blackburnlabour@hotmail.com By post to: House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA or Constituency Office Richmond Chambers Richmond Terrace Blackburn, BB1 7AS
Absolutely gutted for the lad.Imagine how his family must feel when that **** straw made a statement like this. "I will ensure this process is undertaken as quickly as possible, and can assure Michael Shields and his family that I will reach a decision on whether to recommend granting a pardon as swiftly as is possible." Jack Straw, 17th DECEMBER 2008
Feel like throwing something at me if you wish - but I just heard this on the radio (BBC) - Can someone explain to me what EXACTLY this means for the dumb people. Back at Christmas he was supposed to be let go. Does this mean the whole process of letting him free is up in the air again? If so - BOL*X!
Poor lad! what a kick in the bollix. The conviction wouldn't stand up in any decent court of Law, How can jack straw refuse to give him a pardon!
another shocking blunder of the british justice system. bunch of tossers, it makes me so mad, lost all faith in the system.
He got fcuked by the Bulgarian "legal system" (if you could call it that) and now fcuked by the British Justice Secretary as well. It's sick what's happened to that poor lad. I have sent J.Straw a lengthy email, and would like to think others will email, write, etc as well. Ignorant pr!ck might not even read most of them but it beats doing nothing. Hopefully another mosaic or something at Anfield in August too.