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Simon Richardson, 35, was found guilty of murdering cyclist and headteacher Michael Mullins, 56, after a collision in Greater Manchester on April 20. Prosecutors said Richardson knew Mullins was trapped beneath his car but drove more than a mile before stopping; sentencing is scheduled for Monday.
Simon Richardson has been convicted of murdering Michael Mullins, a 56-year-old headteacher who was struck while cycling home and dragged beneath Richardson’s car for more than a mile. A jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court returned its verdict on Friday; the judge is due to sentence Richardson on Monday.
The collision happened on the evening of April 20 in Warburton, Greater Manchester. Mullins, who was cycling home from his job at Stretford Grammar School, hit the bonnet and windscreen of Richardson’s Volvo XC90 after, the court heard, Richardson drove through give-way markings. Mullins then became trapped in the car’s suspension.
Prosecutors said Richardson continued driving for more than a mile while knowing Mullins was underneath the vehicle. His cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, who was in the front passenger seat, testified that they heard moaning after the collision and that Richardson said, “He’s under the car.” The court heard that Richardson drove to a secluded farm track in Lymm, about 1.3 miles away, in an attempt to dislodge Mullins.
At the track, Richardson twice tried to pull Mullins free, prosecutors said, then drove sharply from side to side and mounted a grass verge. After Mullins came loose, the court heard, Richardson drove over him again while reversing and then left. A motorcyclist followed a blood trail and found Mullins on the verge, barely breathing. Emergency services could not save him; he died from multiple injuries.
A Murder Verdict After the Collision
The verdict means the jury rejected Richardson’s account that he did not know Mullins was trapped beneath the car. That distinction was central to the murder charge: the prosecution argued Richardson understood the danger and chose to keep driving rather than stop and help.
The case also brings a criminal judgment in the death of a teacher and father of two whose family and school community have described a lasting loss. Richardson’s sentence is still to come, so the immediate next step is the court’s decision on punishment.
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What the Jury Heard at Trial
Richardson denied murder and told the court he did not realise Mullins was under his vehicle. He also denied getting out of the car to try to free him. The jury heard evidence from Debotte and considered the events after the collision, including the drive to the farm track and the attempts to dislodge Mullins.
In closing, prosecutor Phil Barnes KC argued that Richardson knew Mullins was trapped and understood the likely consequences of driving on. Defence barrister Jaime Hamilton KC acknowledged that Richardson’s actions led to Mullins’s death but argued that this did not establish guilt on the homicide charges. Jurors began deliberating on Wednesday and returned a guilty verdict on Friday.
After the verdict, trial judge Mrs Justice Brunner KC told jurors the case included evidence they may have found distressing and excused them from jury service for 10 years. Mullins’s family members were in tears as the verdict was delivered.
““He knew, and he inevitably knew what the consequences of driving on would be, and he did it anyway.””
— Phil Barnes KC, prosecutor
Sentence and Case Outcome
Richardson’s sentence had not been announced in the report of the verdict; the judge said she would sentence him on Monday. The report does not state the precise terms of the jury’s verdict beyond finding him guilty of murder, or whether any further legal proceedings are planned. Richardson’s denial that he knew Mullins was under the car was rejected by the jury’s verdict, but the available report does not provide the jury’s detailed reasoning.
Sentencing Is Due Monday
Mrs Justice Brunner KC is due to sentence Richardson on Monday. The hearing will determine the punishment following the murder conviction. Further details about the sentence and any subsequent appeal or other proceedings were not available in the report.
Key Questions
Who was convicted of murdering Michael Mullins?
Simon Richardson, 35, was found guilty by a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
How did Michael Mullins die?
Mullins, a 56-year-old headteacher and cyclist, was struck by Richardson’s car and became trapped beneath it. The court heard Richardson drove more than a mile before Mullins was freed; Mullins died from multiple injuries.
What did Richardson say about the collision?
Richardson denied murder and said he did not realise Mullins was trapped beneath his car. The jury found him guilty after hearing evidence that included testimony from his cousin, who said Richardson stated, “He’s under the car.”
When will Richardson be sentenced?
The judge said sentencing was scheduled for Monday after the Friday verdict. The sentence was not included in the report of the conviction.
Source: theguardian.com
