Graham Sankey's confession

This is the statement released by Graham Sankey, through his solicitor, following the conviction of Liverpool fan Michael Shields for an attack on a Bulgarian waiter.

I, Graham Sankey, wish to make the following confession:

On Sunday, May 29th 2005 I was in the Bulgarian resort of Golden Sands near to the Port of Varna at about 5.00am.

I unfortunately had far too much to drink; I had been drinking lager for the better part of the day.

In the evening I estimate that I drank nearly a full bottle of Vodka and I was very, very drunk. I left the PR Club and I was making my way to my hotel.

I remember seeing a disturbance and a fight was taking place involving a large number of people, some of whom were wearing red shirts. I could see bottles being thrown and as I drew closer a bottle smashed on the wall behind my head.

As I turned to see where the bottle had come from I saw three men running at me with bottles and bricks in their hands.

I panicked and stupidly picked up a brick and threw it in the direction of the men running towards me. I saw the brick hit one of them. I panicked and I turned and ran away and returned to the hotel.

'Tormented conscience'

I did not know at that time that Mr Martin Georgiev had been injured.

I was arrested (with others) by the Bulgarian Police. The following day I was questioned by an investigator. I was utterly terrified and denied any involvement in the incident. I still did not know about the injuries to Mr Georgiev.

I was then released and I discovered that Mr Georgiev had been seriously injured. I then returned to Liverpool.

I accept that I must have caused the serious injury to Mr Georgiev.

My conscience has been tormenting me ever since. I read in the papers about Michael Shields' Trial, and I felt that I could not let an innocent man take the blame for what I had done.

'Bitterly regret'

So I instructed my solicitor, Mr David Kirwan, to make public my acceptance of responsibility and my willingness to accept fully the consequences of my actions.

I expected that the Bulgarian Court would accept my admission and free Mr Shields. I was horrified that the court has refused to do this, so I am making this signed confession in the hope that an innocent man will no longer have to take responsibility for what I admit I did.

Finally, I want to say that I bitterly regret what I did to Mr Georgiev.

I wholeheartedly apologise to him, his family and the Bulgarian authorities. I am only 20 years old, and am appalled that I have ruined Mr Georgiev's life and that Michael Shields, an innocent man, has received blame for what I did.

I just wish that I had my time over again.

Graham Sankey