The shocking driving history of the man who killed an “inspirational” headteacher by dragging him beneath a two-tonne SUV has been revealed.
Simon Richardson, 35, is facing a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering Michael Mullins, 56. The respected educator was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School, where he had served as a “brilliant” and “transformative” headteacher for 17 years.
Rather than stop after striking Mr Mullins at a junction, Richardson continued driving for more than a mile at speeds of up to 60mph. The married father-of-two, who survived the first impact, suffered fatal injuries as he remained trapped beneath the vehicle.
The court heard that Richardson had five previous convictions for road-related offences dating back to 2011 when the tragedy occurred on April 20.
Those convictions included fleeing after crashing a car into a wall, driving while disqualified and two separate drink-driving offences.
It has also emerged that Richardson was on bail when he struck Mr Mullins in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. He had recently been released from prison, where he was being held on remand over allegations that he assaulted an emergency worker.
A month before the fatal collision, he had received a community order for that offence. He was also awaiting trial on separate accusations of affray, causing actual bodily harm and possessing cocaine.
Richardson was sofa-surfing and “effectively homeless” at the time, prosecutor Phil Barnes KC told Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester.
Simon Richardson, 35, was found guilty of murdering headteacher Michael Mullins
The damaged Volvo, photographed shortly after the crash, shows Richardson behind the wheel with the driver’s window open
Michael Mullins, 56, was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School when he was dragged beneath Richardson’s car for more than a mile
Richardson had accumulated 28 previous offences and appeared before the courts 11 times since he was 18.
Alongside motoring convictions, his record included offences involving public disorder, battery, stalking and threats to cause criminal damage, jurors were told.
A murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence. Mrs Justice Brunner is due to decide the minimum term Richardson must serve later today.
After the first collision, Richardson did not stop. Instead, the trial heard, he “veered sharply and deliberately from side to side” in an attempt to dislodge Mr Mullins from beneath the wheels of the Volvo XC90.
Mr Mullins was eventually thrown clear when the vehicle mounted a grass verge on a country lane. Richardson then drove over him again.
He left the dying headteacher at the roadside before stopping to refuel the badly damaged car and collect weight-loss medication for his cousin, who was travelling in the passenger seat.
Witnesses followed a “trail of blood” along the road and went to help Mr Mullins, who was still breathing.
However, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.50pm after suffering catastrophic injuries, around 40 minutes after he was knocked from his bicycle.
Richardson later abandoned the Volvo and switched to a van. He was arrested the following day after a short pursuit, when his cousin contacted police.
On Friday, a jury convicted Richardson of murder in what was described as one of the first cases of its kind.
Mr Mullins, pictured with his children, was treated by paramedics but declared dead at the roadside 40 minutes after the collision, jurors heard
CCTV captured Richardson, wearing a hood, refuelling shortly after leaving Mr Mullins dying at the roadside
After the verdict, Mr Mullins’ family paid tribute to the married father-of-two, describing him as “an anchor”, “the perfect dad” and “our everything”.
Shortly after 6pm on April 20, Mr Mullins, described as a fit man, was cycling the 19-mile journey home near Northwich, Cheshire, when Richardson struck him.
The injured headteacher was found on a grass verge 1.3 miles away in Lymm, Cheshire. Andrew Besant-Roberts was the first person to reach him after spotting 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 lying on his side unconscious, but I could see he was still breathing.”
Mr Besant-Roberts called 999 and began chest compressions. A paramedic arrived soon afterwards and assisted, but Mr Mullins was declared dead at the scene.
Data from his Apple Watch showed that it was still detecting a heartbeat when he was thrown from beneath the car.
Medical evidence confirmed that Mr Mullins survived the initial impact but died from injuries inflicted as Richardson continued driving with him trapped beneath the vehicle.
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Richardson’s cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, 27, was sitting in the front passenger seat. She told the court she was left “shocked” and “scared” by what happened.
Ms Debotte said she had warned Richardson to “slow down” shortly before the crash. He smirked and replied: “I’m a professional driver.”
CCTV showed Richardson overtaking another vehicle shortly before hitting Mr Mullins
Dashcam footage shown to jurors captured police pursuing Richardson in a silver Ford Transit van in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, the following day
As the Volvo approached the junction, she shouted “bike” three times after realising Richardson was not stopping, she said.
Following the collision, Richardson drove away erratically while “moaning” sounds came from beneath the vehicle, according to Ms Debotte.
She said he briefly stopped and appeared to try to pull Mr Mullins free, but then returned to the driver’s seat and sped away, weaving from side to side.
Richardson chose not to give evidence during the trial.
During cross-examination, defence barrister Jaime Hamilton KC said Richardson denied getting out of the vehicle or attempting to remove Mr Mullins.
Ms Debotte rejected the suggestion that she had altered her account to avoid getting into trouble herself.
She explained that 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 the police, the jury heard.
Following the guilty verdict, Mr Mullins’ family spoke of their devastation and remembered him in a series of deeply personal tributes.
His wife 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.
“Michael is irreplaceable to our family, his friends and the school. There is no one quite like him, with the many unique qualities that made him so important to so many people.
“I am, and we are, completely bereft and adrift without our anchor, Michael Mullins.”
The newly released image of Michael Mullins was issued by his family after the verdict
Mr Mullins’ devastated widow said her life had been “torn apart”, while his children described his constant support and encouragement
Mr Mullins’ adult children remembered him as a loving father who encouraged their interests in sport and music and continued supporting them as they grew older.
His son said: “He was the type of dad who showed up to everything. He drove me to every rugby game on a Sunday and was always on the sidelines cheering me on. That continued into my adult life, when he regularly reminded me how proud he was of me.
“The last words we exchanged before he dropped me at the station were him reminding me how proud he was of me.”
Michael’s daughter said: “My dad, Michael, was so many things. He loved music and was learning to play the guitar. He loved collecting us from the airport after holidays so he could be the first to hear about them. When we were growing up, he would always offer to collect me and my friends from concerts to make sure we got home safely.
“In those first days, I made a promise that I would live the rest of my life for my dad and build the life he had begun to see me grow into and wanted for me.
“I am here to tell you that my dad was, and always will be, our everything.”
Speaking outside court after the conviction, Detective Sergeant Tricia Solomon of Greater Manchester Police described Mr Mullins as a kind and caring man who was “beloved in his community, his school, by his family and friends”.
DS Solomon said he was “a man who should have come home safe and sound to his family” but would forever be remembered for the legacy he left behind.
She also commended Mr Mullins’ family for their courage and praised those who stopped to search for him and offer help at the roadside.
Her remarks were met with applause from relatives and supporters gathered outside the court.
After the tragedy, Stretford Grammar School said it was mourning a “uniquely talented headteacher and a man of unshakeable principles”, remembered for his “quietly brilliant” leadership and “transformative” vision.
In its tribute, the school described Mr Mullins as “a compassionate leader and a source of unwavering support for students and staff alike”.
Richardson, formerly of Sale, Greater Manchester, had denied murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter.
