Cyclist death: driver convicted of murder after mile-long drag

A jury convicted a driver of murder on Friday after hearing he carried a trapped cyclist beneath his Volvo for more than a mile, then twice tried to pull the man free before driving over him again.

Simon Richardson, 35, drove through give-way markings in the village of Warburton on the evening of April 20 and struck Michael Mullins, 56, who was cycling home from his job as headteacher at Stretford grammar school in Greater Manchester. Mullins struck the bonnet and windscreen, then went under the vehicle and became tangled in the suspension, Manchester Minshull Street crown court heard.

The trial court heard Richardson continued driving for 1.3 miles to a secluded farm track in Lymm. He stopped there and twice attempted to pull Mullins from beneath the car before returning to the driver's seat, driving sharply from side to side, mounting a grass verge and releasing the body. Mullins was then struck a second time as Richardson reversed and left the scene.

Richardson's front-seat passenger, his cousin Gabrielle Debotte, testified that she heard moaning from outside as they drove away. She said Richardson later told her, "He's under the car." Richardson denied knowing the father of two was beneath the vehicle.

Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC told jurors the defendant knew and "inevitably knew what the consequences of driving on would be, and he did it anyway." Barnes added that Richardson "chose to drive away" because "he wanted to escape the consequences of what he had just done." Defense lawyer Jaime Hamilton KC acknowledged in his closing speech that Richardson's actions caused Mullins' death but argued the evidence did not prove the homicide charge.

A motorcyclist followed a trail of blood from the collision site and found Mullins alone and barely breathing on a grass verge. Emergency services attended but could not save him. Mullins, of Northwich, Cheshire, died from multiple injuries. Richardson was arrested the following day after a police vehicle pursuit.

Mrs Justice Brunner KC discharged jurors from jury service for 10 years after the verdict, telling them the case involved evidence they may have found distressing. Members of Mullins' family were in tears as the guilty finding was read.

Mullins' family said he was devoted to his family and that a gap had been left in their hearts and in his role at Stretford grammar school. The judge set sentencing for Monday.