Driver jailed for murder after dragging headteacher over a mile to his death in Manchester
Simon Richardson, 35, has been convicted of murdering cyclist Michael Mullins, 56, who was dragged under a Volvo XC90 in Trafford. A life sentence was confirmed by the judge.
Headteacher killed after being dragged under car for more than a mile in Trafford
Simon Richardson, 35, of no fixed address, has been found guilty of murdering Michael Mullins, the headteacher of Stretford Grammar School in Trafford, Greater Manchester, after dragging him to his death beneath the wheels of a black Volvo XC90. As bbc.co.uk reports, the verdict prompted shouts of "Yes!" from the public gallery at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, while others could be heard crying.
Mullins, 56, was cycling home from the school on the evening of 20 April when Richardson's vehicle struck him at a junction in Warburton, a village in the borough of Trafford. Prosecutors told the jury that Richardson had driven through "give way" markings before the collision, sending Mullins under the car.
Richardson drove on despite knowing victim was trapped
Rather than stopping to help, Richardson fled the scene. He pulled over twice in a country lane in an attempt to dislodge Mullins from beneath the vehicle, but drove on each time without calling for assistance. He ultimately mounted a grass verge in his Volvo to free the trapped man — then reversed over him, inflicting what prosecutors described as "crushing" chest injuries.
Richardson's cousin Gabrielle Debotte, who was seated in the front passenger seat, had previously told the court that both of them heard "moaning" shortly after the collision in Paddock Lane. According to Debotte, Richardson acknowledged: "He is under the car."
Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC told jurors that Richardson had been aware of exactly what he was doing. "Simon Richardson knew he was there and he inevitably knew what the consequences of driving on would be, and he did it anyway," Barnes said. "The obvious reason is because he wanted to escape the consequences of what he had just done."
Victim discovered barely breathing in a country lane
A motorcyclist following a trail of blood later discovered Mullins alone on a grass verge in a secluded country lane in Lymm, Cheshire. He was barely breathing. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene shortly afterwards. Richardson was arrested the following day after a police chase. CCTV footage also captured him filling his car at a petrol station shortly after leaving Mullins for dead.
Richardson denied murder, claiming he had not realised Mullins was beneath the vehicle and disputing that he had attempted to dislodge him. The jury rejected his account in full, returning a guilty verdict. He was also convicted of dangerous driving.
Judge confirms life sentence
Mrs Justice Brunner KC told Richardson from the bench that there was only one sentence for murder: life imprisonment. He will return to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday to be formally sentenced. The judge thanked jurors for their service, acknowledged that the case "cannot have been easy" and discharged them from jury duty for ten years, telling them: "This was, I know, an upsetting case and there was evidence which you may have found distressing."
Family: 'Our everything'
In a statement released after the verdicts, Mullins' family described him as "an anchor", "the perfect dad" and "our everything". Mullins had led Stretford Grammar School for 17 years and was described by his family as "irreplaceable to family, friends and the school".
His widow said: "My past, present and future have been brutally and callously torn apart. My memories of being with Michael through the rough and the smooth are now permanently tainted with sadness."
His son recalled their final exchange before Mullins dropped him at a railway station. "Our last exchange of words together before he dropped me at the station was him reminding me of how proud he was of me," he said.
His daughter added: "I made a promise in those first days that I would live the rest of my life for my Dad and give myself the life he had started to see me grow into and wanted for me. I am here telling you all that my Dad was and always will be our everything."
Source: The Sun