Again from the BBC Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/8245760.stm
Liverpool fan Michael Shields has been pardoned by Justice Secretary Jack Straw after being detained for four years over an attack in Bulgaria.
The 22-year-old, from Liverpool, will be released after he was convicted of the attempted murder of a barman.
He was found guilty in 2005 after his team's win in that year's Champions League final.
Mr Straw pardoned him after deciding he was "morally and technically innocent". Mr Shields was said to be "ecstatic".
Mr Shields' parents, Michael Snr and Maria, have campaigned for his release since he was convicted.
In a statement, Mr Straw said that during the last meeting with the Shields family on 28 August he was told about a visit by two members of the Shields family to the home of another man alleged to be responsible for the crime.
At first he couldn't believe it after all these years and knock-backs
John Wheate,Michael Shields' solicitor said: "I was told that in the course of the visit that man made an oral confession to the crime in front of several other people.
"When looked at alongside all the previously available evidence, (it) has now satisfied me that Mr Shields meets the high test set by the court."
Mr Straw added that he believed Mr Shields to be "morally and technically innocent".
Mr Shields has been held in Thorn Cross young offenders institution in Warrington after serving the initial part of his sentence in Bulgaria.
The 22-year-old's solicitor, John Wheate, said the jailed fan was "absolutely ecstatic" when he was given the news earlier.
This should have happened a long time ago, he will never get those 4 years back. I am including this on my blog because I had no idea he was being held at Thorn Cross, it is literally a 5 minute drive from my house. I rode past it yesterday during the family bike ride for the first time in months so its kind of coincidental he's been freed today! But yes, I am happy for him and its about time. I feel bad that he's been so close to my house for so long and I had no idea!
------------------------------------------------
Yesterday was very busy. I had an early start and me and my mum headed in to Manchester to get some bits for uni (mainly clothes). I'm very lucky, mum spent a LOT of money on me yesterday! I got a jacket, shirt, some jeans, a cardigan, a bag, the City Away kit and an amazing pair of trainers. Lucky lucky boy. Very Happy.
While we were in Manchester I gave Lee a call about The Warehouse Tickets to see what was going on and ended up going to meet him for a bit in Northern Quarter. There has been a massive fuck up due to his new laptop making things hard, and now Swedish House Mafia and Simian Mobile Disco's nights have sold out. Luckily though he acknowledged the mistake and my reserved tickets are guarenteed and being sent out to me by recorded delivery today. Thats the good news, but my Faithless tickets aren't looking as hopeful. I explained the situation and he said he'd try and sort me guestlist for me and the people I'd reserved for but I'm not sure if he'll follow it through so am a little bit worried. I will look a right dick if I let people down with these.. but at the same time by not going Faithless I could go and see Arctic Monkeys in Sheffield that night which would be incredible so I'm OK. Its for my friends mainly.
After meeting Lee we headed home for a little while, then were straight back to Manchester. We had an Italian meal at Gio's near G-Mex which was nice, I had "Risotto Pescatora" (seafood risotto) which was really nice. We then walked down to the Bridgewater Hall because it was my sister's speech night. I was going because I go Uni next week and she was playing the drums. She was good but seeing that didn't prepare me for how long and boring the whole thing was. She goes a girls only school so there was loads of girls but it was sooo dry. I got bored so started texting the girls I knew who were there saying "I can see you but you can't see me. Teehehehehehe." which went down pretty well. Kept me entertained at least. I really freaked one girl out by texting "Nice Black dress!", I could see her laughing when she read it and showing people haha. Afterwards all the girls headed to the locks but I didn't fancy being the only lad and had nowhere to stay so I came home. (regretted it as soon as I got in the car!!)
I went to bed and got woken up at about 3 by Emma calling me. She'd gone Chinese Karaoke after her farewell meal to people who were leaving. She was drunk and emotional then started giving me all this shit about not caring and stuff?! I was knackered and knew she didn't mean it and in the end after hanging up several times and some raised voices had to switch my phone off to get back to sleep which is a first. She text me this morning all embaressed at the stuff she was saying ("Fuck off to Sheffield!!") haha. I knew she didn't mean it at the time but she said she was sorry anyways and that she'd make it up to me which I like. Apology was definitely needed, the things she said were very hurtful and upsetting!!
Kibitz

Hi Dan!

I hate to be rude ...
But why are you blogging?
Shouldn’t you be at Hallam today?
Adam ... x