Killer's string of driving offences before dragging cyclist to death

News of the death of much-loved head teacher dragged to his death for more than a mile while trapped under the wheels of a car has left a community shocked.

The man responsible, Simon Richardson, crashed into Michael Mullins, 56, as he cycled home from his job at Stretford Grammar School on 20 April in the village of Warburton in Trafford, Greater Manchester.

Richardson was sentenced to life in prison for murder and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday.

But this was not the first time he had committed a driving offence with Judge Mrs Justice Brunner saying he had an "appalling" record including dangerous driving the day after the murder.

Warning: This article contains distressing content

The trial heard Richardson, of no fixed address, had driven through "give way" markings at a junction before colliding with the father-of-two on Paddock Lane, Warburton.

The cyclist fell on to his bonnet and windscreen before he was drawn under the car and became entangled in the suspension of Richardson's Volvo XC90, the trial heard.

Richardson then drove off before stopping in a country lane and twice getting out of his 4×4 vehicle in attempts to pull Mullins free, the jury was told.

He then mounted the grass verge and finally dislodged Mullins more than a mile away from Paddock Lane before reversing over the head teacher, causing "crushing" chest injuries.

Richardson, who was also found guilty of a separate dangerous driving charge on 21 April, had numerous previous motoring offences, the court heard.

Prosecution counsel Phil Barnes KC told the court Richardson had previous convictions for 28 offences with a "significant history" of driving-related crimes.

This included careless driving and failure to stop or report an accident in 2011, driving with excess alcohol and driving whilst disqualified in 2012 and driving whilst disqualified and uninsured in 2013, the court heard.

In 2023, he was convicted of driving without a licence and insurance.

In mitigation, defence barrister Jaime Hamilton KC said the absence of premeditation was a "significant feature" in the case, and that Richardson had not intended to use his vehicle as a weapon.

He said: "This defendant did accept that his actions did lead to the death of Mr Mullins and through me, he expresses his remorse."

The judge said Richardson would face a whole-life disqualification from driving as he was a driver with an "appalling" record.

She said: "You took away a life and in doing so you caused devastation to a family and a community.

"I find that you would be a danger to other road users indefinitely."

She added: "You deliberately used your car as a weapon over a prolonged period.

"You have repeated convictions for a range of serious driving offences over a 15-year period.

"This demonstrates the complete contempt you have for the law."

The judge also said Richardson drove dangerously the day after the murder, at a time when "you knew you had seriously injured or killed a man with your driving".

Mrs Justice Brunner imposed a concurrent sentence of 18 months for dangerous driving.

She said Richardson had limited leeway in the way of mitigation, but accepted he did not "deliberately kill someone to cover your tracks".

She said the crime was aggravated by his persistence and Mullins' vulnerability, and his motivation after the incident.

Richardson was also on bail at the time of the murder for offences including affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The judge said: "You heard [Mr Mullins] moaning for many minutes [under the car] and I am sure you knew he was alive and thought he was conscious.

"You knew that you were dragging a man who you believed was conscious against an abrasive road surface for four and a half minutes.

"You performed manoeuvres you must have known would have caused further injuries."

Michael Mullins' family described him as a beloved husband, father and grandfather, who "truly excelled" in his "role as grandad".

He was a lover of sport and remained physically fit, regularly cycling the 19 miles between the school and his home in Northwich, Cheshire.

Elizabeth Baxter, the acting head teacher at Stretford Grammar School, told the court it was an "honour and a privilege" to work alongside Mullins, who led the school for 17 years.

Describing him as an inspirational leader, she said: "He has left a void and a gulf at every level of our school."

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