DAVID KIRWAN senior partner of Kirwans Solicitors and Graham Sankey's solicitor, said: "I have today faxed a signed confession from Graham Sankey to the Bulgarian courts.
"Graham's decision to provide such a statement follows the worst days of his life and that of his family.
"This has culminated in the past 48 hours with rest threats being made against him.
"Graham had hoped that by admitting responsibility for the attack on Saturday that the Bulgarian courts would immediately free Michael Shields.
"Instead, the Bulgarian judge dismissed all rational pleas for an adjournment and sentenced an innocent man to 15 years in prison.
"Like everyone on Merseyside and elsewhere, Graham was left shattered and totally bewildered by these turn of events.
"He wishes he could turn back the clock for both his own sake and that of Michael's. He wishes he had never set foot in Bulgaria.
"He has spent the past days talking to his family, who have provided him with all the support a son could expect.
"This has now resulted in him deciding to sign the confession.
"No matter what the rights and wrongs of the case, this has been a traumatic decision for Graham to make but a decision he knows is the right one for Michael Shields and his family.
"Graham's life and that of his family can never return to what it was before the terrible night of May 29.
"His only request is that they are left in peace to handle whatever repercussions may lie ahead in the days and weeks to come."
