IN A PACKED, sweltering courtroom, Michael Shields had never felt so helpless or alone.
As he waited to learn his fate, the 18-year-old could not understand why he was still being tried for a crime another man has admitted carrying out.
Ironically, his trial meant that for the first time in more than a month Michael was surrounded by his friends and family, who were in court every day to hear the case against him outlined.
His father Michael, uncle Joseph and sister Laura, have all been present in Varna court number one although they were banned from speaking to him.
The student has always maintained his innocence but the
future looked very bleak as the trial started on Thursday.
His heart must have leapt at news of the last-minute confession of Graham Sankey, and hopes were high among his family that he would be released.
But their hopes were dashed and the agony for the teenager, who broke down several times as the evidence against him was outlined, goes on as he awaits sentencing.
Damning words from the prosecutor translated with delay over a crackling loud-speaker must have been the stuff of nightmares.
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