A driver who struck and killed a “uniquely talented” headteacher cycling home from school before dragging him beneath a two-tonne SUV has been convicted of murder.
Simon Richardson, 35, had recently been released from prison when witnesses saw him speeding through a junction in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, in a Volvo XC90 on April 20.
The vehicle crashed into Michael Mullins, 56, who was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School, where he had served for 17 years as a “brilliant” and “transformative” headteacher. He became trapped beneath the SUV.
Rather than stop, Richardson continued driving for more than a mile at speeds of up to 60mph, with Mr Mullins still underneath the car. The journey caused catastrophic further injuries to the married father of two.
The court heard that Richardson also “veered sharply and deliberately from side to side” in an apparent attempt to dislodge him.
Mr Mullins was eventually thrown from beneath the Volvo when it mounted a grass verge on a country road. Richardson then drove over him again.
After leaving the dying headteacher at the roadside, Richardson stopped to refuel the damaged vehicle and collect weight-loss medication for his cousin, who had been travelling in the passenger seat.
Members of the public were alerted by a “trail of blood” across the road and went to Mr Mullins’s aid. He was still breathing when they reached him.
Michael Mullins, 56, was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School when he was dragged beneath Simon Richardson’s car for more than a mile
The damaged Volvo, photographed shortly after the crash, shows Simon Richardson behind the wheel with the driver’s window open
He was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.50pm, around 40 minutes after being knocked from his bicycle.
Richardson abandoned the Volvo and switched to a van, but was arrested the following day after a short pursuit, following contact between his cousin and police.
After deliberating for about 11 hours, jurors at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester convicted Richardson of murder and dangerous driving.
The verdict prompted gasps of “yes” from the public gallery, while Mr Mullins’s relatives and supporters embraced and wept with relief.
Richardson will be sentenced on Monday. Mrs Justice Brunner told him: “There’s only one sentence which I can pass and it’s a life sentence. It comes to me to determine the length of term.”
Richardson showed no reaction as he was taken from the courtroom to the cells.
At the time of the collision, Richardson had been “couch-surfing” with friends and family after leaving prison.
Shortly after 6pm on April 20, Mr Mullins, who was described as fit, was cycling the 19-mile route to his home near Northwich, Cheshire, when Richardson struck him.
The injured headteacher was discovered 1.3 miles away on a grass verge in Lymm, Cheshire. Andrew Besant-Roberts found him after noticing a “trail of blood” weaving along the road for around 200 yards.
“Then I saw a cyclist on a grass verge who appeared to be in a position similar to the recovery position,” he told the court.
“He was laid on his side unconscious but I could see he was still breathing.”
Mr Mullins, pictured with his children, received treatment from paramedics but was pronounced dead at the roadside 40 minutes after the collision, jurors heard
CCTV captured hooded Richardson stopping to fill the Volvo with petrol after leaving Mr Mullins dying by the roadside
Mr Besant-Roberts called 999 and performed chest compressions, but Mr Mullins was pronounced dead despite the arrival of a paramedic soon afterwards.
CONTINUE READING: Blakeman Pays Agency Behind Far-Right German Party Ads and Fraudster
Data from his Apple Watch showed that his heartbeat was still being recorded when he was finally freed from beneath the vehicle.
Doctors said Mr Mullins survived the initial impact but sustained fatal injuries because Richardson failed to stop.
Gabrielle Debotte, 27, Richardson’s cousin and the front-seat passenger, told the court the crash left her “shocked” and “scared”.
She said she had urged Richardson to “slow down” shortly before the collision, but he smirked and replied: “I’m a professional driver.”
As the Volvo neared the junction, Ms Debotte said she shouted “bike” three times after realising Richardson was not slowing down.
Following the impact, she said, Richardson drove erratically while “moaning” sounds came from beneath the vehicle.
At one stage, Richardson stopped and tried to pull Mr Mullins out. He then returned to the driver’s seat and sped away, “veering” from side to side, she said.
Cameras recorded Richardson overtaking another vehicle shortly before striking Mr Mullins
Jurors were shown dashcam footage of police pursuing Richardson as he drove a silver Ford Transit van in Failsworth, Greater Manchester
Richardson chose not to give evidence in his own defence.
However, while cross-examining Ms Debotte, his barrister Jaime Hamilton KC said Richardson denied getting out of the Volvo or attempting to pull Mr Mullins free.
Ms Debotte rejected the suggestion that she had altered her account to avoid getting into trouble herself.
She said she did not call 999 that evening because she was in shock and had never experienced anything similar.
The following day, Ms Debotte “broke down” at the nursery where she worked and told colleagues what had happened before going to police, the court heard.
After his death, Mr Mullins’s family described him as a “loving Dad, husband, brother-in-law, ‘Diddy’, Uncle, Son in law”.
“A gap has been left in our hearts and within his role as a headteacher of Stretford Grammar School,” they said.
“He was devoted to his family, and our lives will never be the same.
“Our Dad gave us fantastic memories growing up, including a trip getting lost at night around Washington DC, but it was in his role as a grandad where he truly excelled.
“Our love and memories of Michael will know no limits.
“We will love him forever, to Saturn and beyond.”
Stretford Grammar School also mourned what it called a “uniquely talented headteacher and a man of unshakeable principles”, remembering his “quietly brilliant” leadership and “transformative” vision.
In a tribute, the school described Mr Mullins as “a man of unshakeable principles, a compassionate leader, and a source of unwavering support for students and staff alike”.
Richardson, formerly of Sale, Greater Manchester, had denied murder, the alternative charge of manslaughter and dangerous driving relating to the van pursuit the following day.
