Reported by 2 sources

The short version

  • Simon Richardson was jailed for life with a minimum tariff of 25 years for the murder of Michael Mullins in Greater Manchester.
  • The court heard Richardson dragged the head teacher for over a mile after a collision, ignoring signs that the victim was conscious and trapped.
  • Richardson has a extensive history of driving offenses and was on bail for assault-related charges at the time of the incident.

A British driver has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a school head teacher who was dragged for more than a mile under his vehicle following a collision. Simon Richardson, 35, was ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years behind bars after a jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court found him guilty of killing Michael Mullins. The sentencing reflects the severity of the crime, which involved Richardson continuing to drive while Mullins remained trapped beneath his Volvo XC90.

The incident occurred on April 20 in Warburton, Greater Manchester, as Mullins cycled home from Stretford Grammar School. Richardson failed to yield at a junction and struck the 56-year-old father of two. Mullins was thrown onto the bonnet and windscreen before becoming entangled in the vehicle's suspension. Rather than stopping immediately to assist the injured cyclist, Richardson drove away with Mullins still lodged under the car.

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Prosecutors presented evidence that Richardson was aware of the victim's presence beneath the vehicle. His cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, who was riding in the front passenger seat, testified that both occupants heard moaning sounds coming from outside the car as they drove. She stated that Richardson acknowledged the situation by saying the victim was under the car. The prosecution argued that Richardson knew the consequences of his actions but chose to proceed anyway.

Richardson eventually stopped at a secluded farm track in Lymm, approximately 1.3 miles from the initial collision site. There, he attempted twice to dislodge Mullins from beneath the vehicle. However, instead of calling for emergency assistance, he returned to the car and performed sharp, deliberate maneuvers, including mounting a grass verge. These actions caused further injury before Mullins was finally released from the suspension.

After Mullins fell free, Richardson reversed his vehicle over him and then drove away from the scene. A motorcyclist later discovered a trail of blood leading from the collision point to a grass verge where Mullins lay alone and barely breathing. Emergency responders arrived but were unable to save him. Mullins died from multiple injuries sustained during the ordeal.

Mrs Justice Brenner KC, presiding over the case, described Richardson's actions as demonstrating an astonishing disregard for human life. She noted that he deliberately used his car as a weapon over a prolonged period. The judge emphasized that Richardson prioritized fleeing the scene over preserving a human life, stating that he knew Mullins was conscious and vulnerable during the minutes he continued to drive.

Richardson has a significant history of driving-related offenses, including convictions for drink driving, careless driving, and driving while disqualified. At the time of the murder, he was already on bail for charges including affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard that he had 28 previous convictions spanning a 15-year period, which the judge cited as evidence of his contempt for the law.

In addition to the life sentence, Richardson received an indefinite driving ban to protect the public. Sarah Mullins, the victim's wife of 27 years, delivered a victim impact statement describing the devastating effect of her husband's death. She described feeling adrift and bereft, noting that her past, present, and future had been torn apart by the violence of his passing.

Elizabeth Baxter, the acting head teacher at Stretford Grammar School, paid tribute to Mullins, who had led the school for 17 years. She described him as an inspirational leader whose absence has left a void at every level of the institution. Police officials praised the courage shown by Mullins's family and urged the community to remember the victim rather than the offender.

The case highlights the severe legal consequences for drivers who fail to stop after collisions and endanger victims further. Richardson was arrested the day after the incident following a police chase. The sentencing underscores the judicial system's stance on cases where negligence escalates into deliberate harm through continued dangerous behavior.

Sources behind this briefing

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