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Jail pardon a step closer for football fan
17 Dec 2008JAILED football fan Michael Shields could soon be freed after winning a High Court battle today.
Two senior judges ruled that Justice Secretary Jack Straw could use the "royal prerogative of mercy" to free Shields, who was convicted abroad but is finishing his sentence in a British prison.
But the judges also ruled that it was for Mr Straw alone to decide how to exercise that power.
Mr Straw said today that he would appoint senior counsel to advise him on whether to grant a pardon, adding he would reach a decision "as swiftly as possible".
Shields, now 22, is serving 10 years for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria, in 2005.
Reader views (1)
It will be interesting to see if he opts to prejudice any future attempts for the same opportunity for foreign court sentenced Britons to serve their time in the UK, or if he will demonstrate respect for the laws of those other countries.
Popularity or responsibility? Nasty choice to have to make - but then again, he is a politician.
- Rogan, Irving, 17/12/2008 18:49
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