Motorist Accused of Murder Fled Police After Allegedly Dragging Cyclist 1.3 Miles

A motorist accused of murdering a cyclist by hitting him and dragging him underneath his car for more than a mile fled from police attempting to arrest him the following day, video played in court shows.

Simon Richardson, 35, is accused of the murder of headteacher Michael Mullins, 56, who was struck as he cycled home from Stretford Grammar School on April 20. Footage presented to jurors at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court depicted Richardson leaping out of a van and running from officers in pursuit the day after the crash.

Prosecutors allege Richardson drove at speed through give way markers at a junction in Warburton, Altrincham, colliding with Mr. Mullins, who was then dragged underneath his Volvo XC90 for 1.3 miles. The prosecution contends that Richardson knew Mr. Mullins was beneath his vehicle but continued driving.

It is further alleged that Richardson later drove to a country lane in Lymm, Cheshire, where he "veered sharply and deliberately from side to side" before mounting a grass verge and driving over Mr. Mullins, dislodging him from beneath the car. Mr. Mullins, from Northwich, Cheshire, was found still breathing in Wet Gate Lane, approximately 2.2 kilometers from the initial collision site in Paddock Lane. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:50 p.m., about 40 minutes after the incident.

On Tuesday, jurors viewed dashcam footage of a police pursuit of Richardson driving a silver Ford Transit van in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, on April 21. The van was tracked to William Street, where it briefly stopped before speeding off as officers approached.

In a statement read to the court, PC Gerard Elliott recounted hearing "tyres squealing" as the van accelerated away, turning left into an alleyway and then onto Oldham Road. The pursuit continued through residential streets, with PC Elliott reporting speeds of up to 50 mph, but he was "not gaining on the Transit van." The van eventually stopped in Co-operation Street due to another vehicle blocking its path. The suspect then fled on foot but was apprehended shortly after, the court heard.

Inspector Tom Abbott, another officer involved in the pursuit, stated that the van driver "showed no consideration for the safety of other drivers and pedestrians."

Last week, jurors were shown CCTV footage depicting Richardson allegedly driving "erratically" in the moments leading up to the fatal collision. A witness described his Volvo as "absolutely tanking it" before he overtook cars approaching the junction of Dunham Road and Paddock Lane.

Richardson denies murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter. He has also pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving. The trial is scheduled to continue on Wednesday.