Michael Shields had hoped to be freed before his appeal hearing

The 18-year-old from Wavertree, Liverpool, was convicted of the attempted murder of a barman in July but has always protested his innocence.

Another man, Graham Sankey, has since signed a confession saying he carried out the attack on Martin Georgiev.

Shields, who was jailed for 15 years, plans to appeal against his conviction.

'Kick in the teeth'

His defence lawyers had offered to find him accommodation in Bulgaria so that he would not leave the country, but the court rejected the bail application.

Shields had hoped to be freed ahead of his appeal, which is likely to be heard in September.

His uncle, Joey Graney, said: "It looks like Michael will be spending the whole summer in jail.

Graham Sankey has confessed to the attack

"We had hoped they would let him out on bail, even if they insisted on keeping him in the country.

"It is another kick in the teeth for us and it means an innocent lad will be wrongly behind bars for even longer."

Shields' father, mother and sister were in Bulgaria to support him.

He was arrested after Mr Georgiev was hit over the head with a paving stone which fractured his skull and may have caused brain damage.

But Shields said he was asleep in bed at the time the attack was carried out.

A campaign has been mounted by his family and friends to free him.