The 15-year prison sentence of 19-year-old British citizen Michael Shields has been confirmed by Varna's court of appeal. Shields was sentenced for the attempted murder of Bulgarian bartender Martin Georgiev. In addition, Shields will have to pay a 900 leva fine for indecent behaviour.
The court of appeal decreased the damages that Shields must pay to Georgiev from 200 000 leva to 120 000 leva. The ruling is subject to appeal, which must be lodged within the coming 15 days in the Supreme Court of Cassation,  mediapool.bg reported.
The trial of Shields received extensive coverage in British media and a negative response from Liverpool, his home city. His supporters questioned his guilt after one of Shields's companions, Graham Sankey, wrote a statement saying that it was he who had hit Georgiev on the head. The confession, however, was drafted in the UK, and the Bulgarian court refused to admit it as evidence in support of Shields.