REDS fan Michael Shields was today jailed for 15 years after a Bulgarian court found him guilty of a crime he did not commit.
The 18-year-old was convicted of a charge of attempted murder even though another man confessed to the crime.
The court in Varna refused to accept Graham Sankey's state-ment that he slammed a paving stone on to waiter Martin Georgiev's head at the resort of Golden Sands in May.
Today Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was ordering officials and diplomats to "make representations" both to the Sofia legal establishment and to Bulgaria's ambassador to London, Lachezar Matev.
Graham Sankey's solicitor, David Kirwan, told the ECHO his client was horrified by the verdict.
"Graham believed that the case against Michael would either be thrown out or adjourned after he came forward to make his confession," he said.
"But, to his total despair, the judge decided to continue trying Michael.
"Our focus at this time should be on Michael Shields, not Graham Sankey, and it is time for the British government to intervene to make the Bulgarians see sense.
"The priority has to remain to get Michael Shields released from jail. Britons have a right to expect a fair trial if arrested abroad but Michael Shields is clearly getting nothing of the sort.
"It also causes me grave concern as to whether Graham Sankey would be treated fairly should he ever have to stand trial in a Bulgarian court."
Michael was also given a £71,000 compensation bill for the victim.
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