How Did The Shields Family React To Their Son Michael's Arrest And Conviction?

Initially the Shields family weren't too concerned as the friend assured them that there had been a mistake because Michael was fast asleep at the time of the attack. Witnesses to the assault said the main assailant was a "big fella" with dark hair. Michael had blond hair.

But within two months, the Wavertree student had been charged, convicted and sentenced to fifteen years in a Bulgarian prison, more than 15,000 miles from home. This was despite a written confession given by Graham Sankey, a 20-year-old electrician from Liverpool, who returned to the UK after being questioned, being rejected as evidence by the court.

"We were totally shocked," Melissa, Michael's 27-years-old sister, said. "We couldn't believe it. Everyone was really really upset and we're still really angry. Just everything about the case shocked me."