Driver Guilty of Dragging Cyclist to Death
A man has been found guilty of murdering a head teacher who was dragged to death for over a mile while trapped under the wheels of a car. Simon Richardson, 35, crashed into 56-year-old Michael Mullins, who was cycling home from his job at Stretford Grammar School in Trafford, Greater Manchester, on 20 April.
Prosecutors claimed Richardson fled the scene of the crash before stopping to try to dislodge the injured but still-living cyclist and then driving on with Mr Mullins still lodged underneath the vehicle. Richardson was also convicted of dangerous driving and will return to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday.
The court heard that Richardson drove through "give way" markings at a junction in Warburton before colliding with Mr Mullins, who went under the Volvo XC90. Richardson then drove off before stopping in a country lane and twice getting out of the vehicle in attempts to pull Mr Mullins free. He then mounted the grass verge in his Volvo and finally dislodged him before reversing over Mr Mullins, causing "crushing" chest injuries.
Michael Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards by emergency services. Richardson was arrested the next day following a police chase.
In a statement, Mr Mullins' family described him as "irreplaceable to family, friends and the school" where he was head teacher. His widow said: "My past, present and future have been brutally and callously torn apart." His son described his late father as "the type of Dad that would show up to everything".
Richardson was taken into custody following a police chase and will face sentencing on Monday.
