Richardson Convicted of Murdering Cyclist After 1.3-Mile Drive
Simon Richardson was convicted of murdering cyclist Michael Mullins after driving on with Mullins trapped beneath his car in Greater Manchester. The court…
Simon Richardson was convicted of murdering cyclist Michael Mullins in Greater Manchester after driving for more than a mile with Mullins trapped beneath his car. The verdict puts the focus on what prosecutors said Richardson knew after the collision and the steps he took while continuing to drive.
Richardson, 35, drove through give-way markers at a junction in Warburton and struck Mullins, 56, who was cycling home from Stretford grammar school on the early evening of 20 April. Mullins fell onto the bonnet and windscreen of the Volvo XC90 before going under the vehicle.
He was trapped. The court heard Richardson continued driving while Mullins became entangled in the car’s suspension, inches below the driver’s feet.
Prosecutors said Richardson drove to a secluded farm track in Wet Gate Lane, Lymm, 1.3 miles from the collision, where he tried twice to pull Mullins free. He then swerved from side to side and mounted a grass verge. Mullins came loose, but Richardson drove over him while reversing and left.
What did the court hear about the drive?
Richardson’s cousin Gabrielle Debotte, who was in the front passenger seat, told the trial they heard “moaning” outside as he drove away. She said Richardson then remarked, “He’s under the car.”
Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC told jurors Richardson knew Mullins was trapped and understood what could happen if he carried on. Barnes said Richardson briefly appeared to consider getting out and helping, but chose to drive away because he wanted to escape the consequences.
Richardson denied murder. He said he had not realised Mullins was underneath the car and denied getting out to try to free him.
A motorcyclist followed a trail of blood from Paddock Lane and found Mullins alone on a grass verge, barely breathing, the court heard. Emergency services attended, but Mullins, from Northwich, in Cheshire, died from multiple injuries.
The case has a direct consequence for road users: the collision did not end when the car struck the cyclist. The jury considered Richardson’s actions after Mullins became trapped, including the drive to the track and the attempt to dislodge him. That sequence formed the prosecution’s account of why the continued driving amounted to murder.
When will Richardson be sentenced?
Richardson will be sentenced on Monday. He had already been found guilty of a separate dangerous-driving allegation arising from a police pursuit on 21 April.
Police arrested him the day after the collision, following a vehicle pursuit. Jurors were sent out to consider their verdicts on Wednesday and returned at about 11.45am on Friday. Family members cried in the public gallery when the verdicts were delivered.
Mrs Justice Brunner KC discharged the jurors from further jury service for 10 years, telling them the case was upsetting and included evidence they may have found distressing.
Mullins’ family said he was devoted to them and that his death had left a gap in their hearts and in his role as headteacher of Stretford grammar school. Richardson’s sentencing is set for Monday.
