Right man is in jail, Bulgarian barman insists

Despite another man confessing to the crime, Michael Shields, 18, from Liverpool, was convicted on Monday of attempted murder after a paving slab was thrown at Martin Georgiev's head at the Golden Sands resort in Varna. The Liverpool FC fan was jailed for 15 years and fined £70,000, but said: "They got completely, 100 per cent, the wrong person."

Support for the teenager has been growing after Graham Sankey, 20 and also from Liverpool, submitted a signed confession admitting the attack. But Mr Georgiev, 25, who may have permanent brain damage from his horrific injuries, said he can remember the man who attacked him.

He told Sky News: "I remember very clearly his face." Asked if this was Mr Shields, he replied: "Yes".

Mr Georgiev, who is married and has two young children, shares a home with his parents and grandparents. He said: "I am not revengeful but the man who has done it, he must bear the consequences. I feel handicapped for my family. I can't take care of them."

He said he is unable to do a lot of things others take for granted such as going outside in the heat or carrying heavy objects. He faces months of treatment and may not fully recover.

Mr Shields insists he played no part in the late-night brawl and was in bed when it happened on 30 May. He has spoken of being treated harshly while in police custody. He said he has been kicked and slapped by officers, thrown into a cold shower and left to dry naked, bullied by inmates and chained to a radiator.

He had gone to Bulgaria because his team were playing in the final of the European Champions' League across the border in Turkey.

After Liverpool won a dramatic game on penalties, he rang his father to say it had been the best day of his life. He returned to the Golden Sands resort to celebrate and was in bed by 2.30am, he said.

His father, also called Michael Shields, and his sister Melissa, have flown to Bulgaria to be with him.

The Liverpool players Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard have pledged their support, and the band behind an unofficial LFC song, "Du the Dudek", are donating their profits to the release effort.