European judges have rejected an appeal by jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields over his attempted murder conviction.The 20-year-old was jailed in Bulgaria for attacking a barman in May 2005 - a crime he insists he did not commit.
Shields' sentence was reduced to 10 years on appeal, and he was moved to the UK prison system in 2006.
His lawyers appealed to the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds his rights were violated during the trial, but the appeal was rejected.
Shields, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, was transferred to the HMP Hindley in Wigan, Greater Manchester, in November after a £90,000 fine was paid.
He was told the news in the prison just hours after he watched Liverpool beat Chelsea to reach the Champions League final.
His father, Michael Shields, said: "Michael was really excited about Liverpool winning, and he was hoping Manchester United would get through to the final as well.
"Then he was told his appeal had been rejected and he's just heartbroken.
"We're all devastated. It's difficult to talk about it, because we feel so low right now."
Mr Shields said the family would continue fighting to clear his son's name, but admitted he did not know if there were any avenues left to go down.
Legal meeting
Arlene McCarthy, Euro MP for Liverpool, said she was disappointed by the court's decision not to hear the appeal.
She said: "I am in continuous discussions with the Bulgarian authorities to ensure we get justice for Michael, and we will continue to fight on behalf of him and his family."
Mrs McCarthy plans to meet with the Shields family and legal advisors on Friday to help plan the next stage in the legal battle.
Shields was jailed for the attempted murder of barman Martin Georgiev, who had a paving slab dropped on his head in the Black Sea resort of Varna in May 2005.
He been holidaying in Bulgaria after travelling from neighbouring Turkey, where he had watched on TV as his team beat AC Milan in the Champions League final.
Shields has always protested his innocence and told the court he was asleep at the time of the incident.
His father, Michael Shields, said: "Michael was really excited about Liverpool winning, and he was hoping Manchester United would get through to the final as well.
"Then he was told his appeal had been rejected and he's just heartbroken.
"We're all devastated. It's difficult to talk about it, because we feel so low right now."
Mr Shields said the family would continue fighting to clear his son's name, but admitted he did not know if there were any avenues left to go down.
Legal meeting
Arlene McCarthy, Euro MP for Liverpool, said she was disappointed by the court's decision not to hear the appeal.
She said: "I am in continuous discussions with the Bulgarian authorities to ensure we get justice for Michael, and we will continue to fight on behalf of him and his family."
Mrs McCarthy plans to meet with the Shields family and legal advisors on Friday to help plan the next stage in the legal battle.
Shields was jailed for the attempted murder of barman Martin Georgiev, who had a paving slab dropped on his head in the Black Sea resort of Varna in May 2005.
He been holidaying in Bulgaria after travelling from neighbouring Turkey, where he had watched on TV as his team beat AC Milan in the Champions League final.
Shields has always protested his innocence and told the court he was asleep at the time of the incident.
Date:3 May 2007
Credit:www.bbc.co.uk
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