Driver Found Guilty of Murdering Head Teacher Dragged Under Car for More Than a Mile

A 35-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering a head teacher who was dragged for more than a mile beneath his vehicle after being struck while cycling home from work in Greater Manchester.

Simon Richardson was convicted of murdering 56-year-old Michael Mullins following a trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Mullins, who was the head teacher of Stretford Grammar School, was cycling home on the evening of 20 April when Richardson struck him with his Volvo XC90 at a junction in Warburton, Trafford.

Prosecutors told the court that Richardson drove away after the collision, despite knowing the cyclist was trapped underneath his vehicle. He later stopped on a country lane and twice got out in an apparent attempt to dislodge the injured man before continuing to drive.

Richardson was also convicted of dangerous driving. He will return to court on Monday for sentencing. <Cite refs={[“turn681924search0″,”turn681924search2”]}/>

Prosecutors describe horrifying sequence of events

The court heard that Richardson had driven through give-way markings before colliding with Mullins, who became trapped underneath the vehicle.

Rather than stopping immediately to seek emergency assistance, Richardson continued driving along the road.

Prosecutors said he eventually stopped on a country lane and twice exited the vehicle in attempts to remove Mullins.

He then drove onto a grass verge, dislodging the cyclist, before reversing over him. The prosecution said the final movements caused severe crushing injuries to Mullins’s chest.

His injuries were attributed to dragging and crushing rather than the initial collision alone.

Richardson’s cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, told the court that they heard moaning after the crash.

She said Richardson subsequently remarked: “He is under the car.”

Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC argued that Richardson understood the consequences of continuing to drive but chose to flee rather than accept responsibility for the collision.

He told jurors that Richardson had briefly had an opportunity to do the right thing by getting out and helping the injured cyclist but deliberately drove away.

Motorcyclist discovers victim

A motorcyclist later followed a trail of blood along a secluded country lane in Lymm, Cheshire, where he discovered Mullins lying on a grass verge and barely breathing.

Emergency services were called, but the head teacher was pronounced dead at the scene.

Richardson was arrested the following day after a police chase.

During the trial, he denied murder, claiming he had not realised Mullins was trapped beneath his vehicle and had not deliberately attempted to dislodge him.

However, the jury rejected his account and found him guilty of murder.

Court hears tributes to devoted teacher

The verdict prompted emotional reactions in the courtroom, with members of the public gallery shouting “Yes!” while others were heard crying.

Judge Mrs Justice Brunner KC told Richardson that murder carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment.

She also thanked jurors for their work, acknowledging that hearing the evidence had been particularly distressing.

Richardson was discharged from jury service for 10 years following the trial.

Mullins’s family paid tribute to him, describing him as a devoted father and family man whose death had left an enormous gap in their lives.

They also highlighted the loss felt by the school community, where he had served as head teacher.

“He was devoted to his family and our lives will never be the same,” the family said.

Their statement added that his absence had left a lasting emptiness in their hearts and at Stretford Grammar School.

The case has now concluded with Richardson’s conviction, with sentencing due on Monday.