Driver Accused of Murder for Dragging Pedestrian Over a Mile to His Death

Simon Richardson, 35, is accused of the murder of headteacher Michael Mullins, 56, who was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School on April 20.

Prosecutors allege that Richardson drove through give way markers at a junction in Warburton, Altrincham, and into the path of Mr. Mullins. Mr. Mullins was then dragged under Richardson's Volvo XC90 for approximately 1.3 miles.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court was shown CCTV footage from a petrol station. The video depicts Richardson filling his Volvo with petrol, leaning against the vehicle with his hood up, and appearing to stare blankly at the pump. He is later seen pulling his hood down as he passes security cameras.

An image released by the Crown Prosecution Service shows Richardson allegedly driving the Volvo shortly after the collision. A dent is visible on the front right side of the bonnet, and Richardson's driver's side window appears to be fully down.

Prosecutors contend that Richardson is guilty of murder because he allegedly knew Mr. Mullins was beneath his vehicle but continued to drive. The court heard that Richardson is accused of later driving to a country lane in Lymm, Cheshire, where he allegedly swerved the car deliberately before mounting a grass verge and running over Mr. Mullins, causing him to be dislodged.

Mr. Mullins, from Northwich, Cheshire, was found still breathing on Wet Gate Lane, about 2.2 kilometers from the initial collision site on Paddock Lane. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:50 p.m., approximately 40 minutes after being struck.

Andrew Besant-Roberts, a witness, told the court he discovered Mr. Mullins on the side of a grass verge. He described seeing a "strange trail on the road" that he later realized was blood. He observed the trail weaving before seeing the cyclist on the verge.

Mr. Besant-Roberts called 999, but Mr. Mullins' condition deteriorated. Despite resuscitation efforts and the arrival of paramedics, Mr. Mullins was declared dead at the scene.

Gabrielle Debotte, 27, Richardson's cousin and a passenger in the car, testified that Richardson was driving at "quite a speed" prior to the collision. She stated she told him to slow down, and he responded with a smirk, saying, "I'm a professional driver." Ms. Debotte claimed she shouted "bike" three times as they approached the junction because Richardson was not stopping. She said Richardson failed to slow down, crashing into Mr. Mullins' bicycle and causing him to go underneath the vehicle.

Ms. Debotte stated that Richardson stopped for only a "split second" before driving off. She told him to get out of the car, believing it was the "right thing to do." She described Richardson driving erratically, with the driver's window down, swerving the car because he could hear noises from underneath. She recalled telling him, "He's under the car," after hearing "moaning" sounds, but Richardson said nothing and continued driving.

Dr. Terrence McGloughlin, a consultant in emergency medicine, testified that his understanding of the evidence suggested Mr. Mullins survived the initial impact. Evidence from Mr. Mullins' Apple Watch indicated his heart was still beating at the moment he was released from beneath the car. Dr. McGloughlin stated this supports that Mr. Mullins was "still physiologically alive" but could not confirm if he was conscious or unconscious.

The jury heard that Richardson had stopped in a country lane for about 90 seconds and attempted to free Mr. Mullins before driving on again. He then allegedly veered the car side to side and mounted a grass verge, where Mr. Mullins was dislodged.

Ms. Debotte described Richardson struggling to free the headteacher, moving the car's steering wheel. She told the court she was "shocked" and "scared" and still has "visions of it." She observed Mr. Mullins lying in the road with his arm moving slightly after he was freed.

Ms. Debotte said she was screaming and crying, while Richardson was also crying and panicking. They then drove to a petrol station, where Richardson was filmed filling his tank. Ms. Debotte admitted she did not call 999 because she was in shock and had never been in such a situation.

Later, Richardson reportedly swapped his Volvo for a silver van and, with a friend named Daniel Richards, went to Ms. Debotte's home. Ms. Debotte claimed Richards tried to persuade her to lie about being with Richardson in the Volvo. When she asked them to leave, Richardson allegedly became angry and punched a hole in a wall. She reported hearing them "laughing and joking" and drinking while she was trying to sleep.

The following day, Ms. Debotte reportedly broke down at her workplace and informed the police of the incident.

Dashcam footage shown to the jury depicted a police pursuit of Richardson driving a silver Ford Transit van in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, on April 21, the day after the crash. The van sped off as officers approached, leading to a pursuit through residential streets. The van eventually stopped, and Richardson allegedly fled on foot before being apprehended.

During cross-examination, a legal representative for Richardson suggested Ms. Debotte's account of shouting "bike" was untrue. She maintained that she did shout the warning and insisted Richardson knew Mr. Mullins was under the car. However, it was noted that she had not made this claim in previous statements to the police.

CCTV footage from the moments before the collision showed Richardson allegedly driving erratically and overtaking cars at high speed. Richardson denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter, as well as a charge of dangerous driving. The trial is ongoing.