Simon Richardson, 35, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years on Monday for the murder of cyclist Michael Mullins, whom he dragged for 1.3 miles beneath his Volvo XC90 after a collision in Altrincham, Greater Manchester.
Richardson struck Michael Mullins, a 56-year-old father-of-two and headteacher at Stretford Grammar School, while driving through give-way markers at a junction on 20 April. Mullins landed on the bonnet and windscreen before falling beneath the car and becoming trapped in the suspension. Instead of stopping, Richardson continued driving.
At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Brunner KC told Richardson: "For every moment you carried on, you were knowingly using your heavy vehicle to cause serious injury to a man who was trapped, injured and completely helpless as a result of your actions. You did that because you decided escaping from the scene of an accident was more important than a human life."
Prosecutors said Richardson knew Mullins was trapped just inches beneath his feet. His front-seat passenger and cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, testified that both heard "moaning" from outside the car as Richardson sped away. Richardson drove to a secluded farm track in Lymm, where he twice tried to pull Mullins out manually, then swerved deliberately and drove onto a grass verge. Mullins was dislodged, but Richardson ran over him while reversing. A motorcyclist followed a trail of blood and found Mullins barely breathing. He died from multiple injuries.
Richardson denied murder, claiming he did not realise Mullins was under his vehicle, but a jury found him guilty. He was also convicted of dangerous driving on 21 April following a police pursuit.
In a statement read to the court, Sarah Mullins, the victim's wife, said: “My past, present and future have been brutally and callously torn apart, my present is empty and often seems to be without purpose.” She described her husband as her “safety net” and said: “I am, we are, completely adrift and bereft without our anchor, Michael Mullins.”
Elizabeth Baxter, acting head teacher at Stretford Grammar School, said it had been an "honour and a privilege" to work alongside Mullins, who had led the school for 17 years. "He has left a void and a gulf at every level of our school," she said.
Prosecution counsel Phil Barnes KC told the court Richardson had 28 previous convictions, including a "significant history" of driving offences such as careless driving, drink driving, driving while disqualified, and driving without a licence or insurance. In mitigation, defence barrister Jaime Hamilton KC highlighted the lack of premeditation and said Richardson acknowledged his actions caused Mullins's death and expressed remorse.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The case underscores the severe consequences for drivers who flee after causing injury, and the courts' willingness to impose life sentences for such cruelty.
- It highlights the vulnerability of cyclists on roads and the need for safer infrastructure and stricter enforcement against dangerous driving.
- The community and school lost a respected headteacher, reflecting the broader impact of reckless driving beyond the immediate victim.
Background
The collision occurred on 20 April in Paddock Lane, Warburton, Altrincham. Michael Mullins was a headteacher at Stretford Grammar School for 17 years. Richardson had multiple previous driving convictions, including failure to stop or report an accident, drink driving, and driving while disqualified. His defence argued the killing was not premeditated and that he did not intend to use the car as a weapon.
Key Perspectives
Judge Mrs Justice Brunner KC: said Richardson showed an "astonishing degree of disregard for human life" and that he prioritised escaping the scene over a human life.
Sarah Mullins: said her husband was her "safety net" and that her past, present and future have been "brutally and callously torn apart".
Elizabeth Baxter: said it was an "honour and a privilege" to work alongside Mr Mullins and that he left "a void and a gulf at every level of our school".
Prosecution: argued Richardson knew the victim was trapped beneath his vehicle and heard moaning but drove on.
Defence: highlighted the lack of premeditation and said Richardson expressed remorse and acknowledged his actions caused death.
What to Watch
- Richardson's minimum term of 25 years means he will be eligible for parole after that period, subject to Parole Board review.
- The separate dangerous driving conviction may affect his overall sentence or any future parole considerations.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedRichardson was jailed for life for murdering Michael Mullins.The Independent UK: “A driver who struck a cyclist and dragged him beneath his 4x4 for more than a mile has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years for murder .”
- SupportedRichardson dragged Mullins beneath his 4x4 for more than a mile.The Independent UK: “A driver who struck a cyclist and dragged him beneath his 4x4 for more than a mile”
- SupportedRichardson received a minimum term of 25 years on Monday.The Independent UK: “He was handed a life sentence on Monday by Judge Mrs Justice Brunner KC”
- SupportedThe judge said Richardson showed an “astonishing degree of disregard for human life”.The Independent UK: “who said he had shown an "astonishing degree of disregard for human life".”
- SupportedMullins, a 56-year-old headteacher, was struck at an Altrincham junction on 20 April after Richardson drove through give-way markers.The Independent UK: “Michael Mullins, 56, a father-of-two and Headteacher at Stretford Grammar School in Manchester , was cycling home on the early evening of 20 April when he was struck by a Volvo XC90 driven by 35-year-old Simon Richardson. The court heard that Richardson, who has no fixed address, drove straight through give-way markers at an Altrincham junction in Greater Manchester and collided with Mr Mullins.”
- SupportedProsecutors said Richardson knew Mullins was trapped just inches beneath his feet.The Independent UK: “Prosecutors stated that Richardson was aware the victim was trapped just inches beneath his feet shortly after the initial collision”
- SupportedDebotte testified that she and Richardson heard “moaning” from outside the car as he sped away.The Independent UK: “His front-seat passenger and cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, testified during the trial that both of them heard "moaning" coming from outside the car as he sped away.”
- SupportedRichardson drove 1.3 miles to a secluded farm track in Lymm.The Independent UK: “The prosecution told the court that Richardson drove 1.3 miles to a secluded farm track on Wet Gate Lane, Lymm”
- SupportedRichardson ran over Mullins while reversing after Mullins was dislodged.The Independent UK: “Although the victim was eventually dislodged, Richardson ran over him while reversing to drive away.”
- SupportedSarah Mullins said, “My past, present and future have been brutally and callously torn apart, my present is empty and often seems to be without purpose.”The Independent UK: “She said: "My past, present and future have been brutally and callously torn apart, my present is empty and often seems to be without purpose.”
- SupportedMullins died from multiple injuries.The Independent UK: “Emergency services were called to the scene, but Mr Mullins, from Northwich, Cheshire, died from multiple injuries.”
- SupportedRichardson denied murder, but the jury found him guilty.The Independent UK: “Throughout his two-week trial, he denied murder, claiming he did not realise Mr Mullins was under his vehicle and denying that he had exited the car to free him. Jurors returned a guilty verdict on Friday.”