Murder Trial Hears of Mile-Long Blood Trail Leading to Mowed-Down Headteacher

A murder trial has heard that a trail of blood stretching more than a mile led to a dying headteacher who had been struck and dragged beneath a car. Michael Mullins, 56, sustained fatal injuries after being hit by a black Volvo XC90 while cycling home from Stretford Grammar School in Manchester on the evening of April 20.

Prosecutors allege that Simon Richardson, 35, sped through a junction in Warburton, Altrincham, colliding with Mullins. They claim Richardson knew Mullins was trapped beneath his vehicle but deliberately continued his journey, accelerating to speeds of up to 60 mph and leaving a significant blood trail behind. The decision not to stop is why prosecutors are accusing Richardson of murder.

A motorcyclist, Andrew Besant-Roberts, discovered Mullins lying on a grass verge in Lymm, Cheshire, approximately two kilometers from the initial collision site. He reported noticing a suspicious trail on the road that he identified as blood. The trail led to Mill Lane and then to Wet Gate Lane, where the trail began to weave. He found Mullins on the grass verge, unconscious but breathing. Besant-Roberts called emergency services, and despite attempts at chest compressions, Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:50 p.m.

Earlier, a motorist parked at the Green Dragon pub on Mill Lane reported seeing something underneath a fast-moving vehicle, initially mistaking it for an animal or a body. She too followed the "thick, dark trail" which led to where Mullins was being attended to by Besant-Roberts.

A dog walker on Mill Lane heard a loud dragging sound from a passing black car, describing it as an unusual noise like something flapping. He looked under the car and saw something large near the front passenger wheel, finding it bizarre that the driver had not stopped.

According to the Crown, Richardson sharply swerved from side to side on Wet Gate Lane before his car mounted a verge, dislodging Mullins. The prosecution contends that Mullins was run over at least once more before being thrown clear. Phil Barnes KC, prosecuting, stated that Mullins was "crushed to death" after being dragged more than a mile and a quarter, and that Richardson knew Mullins was alive beneath his car for a significant portion of the journey.

CCTV footage presented to the jury allegedly showed Mullins being dragged to his death. The prosecution claims Richardson stopped for approximately 90 seconds in a quiet country road, during which time data from Mullins' watch indicated he was still alive. Barnes suggested this was not an attempt to help but to abandon Mullins. When efforts to dislodge Mullins failed, Richardson allegedly drove off with Mullins still trapped. Further CCTV showed the car swerving and mounting a verge near a farm, where Mullins was finally dislodged, with the car driving over him at least once.

Richardson then allegedly drove to a petrol station, with his cousin Gabrielle Debotte in the passenger seat. After filling up, he is said to have collected medication from a clinic before driving to Debotte's house. He later swapped his Volvo for a silver van and allegedly attempted to create a false story.

Debotte reportedly confessed to police the next day and is expected to be a prosecution witness. Richardson was arrested after a police pursuit of the Ford Transit van he had acquired, during which he allegedly drove "dangerously" at speed. He declined to answer questions during police interviews.

Richardson denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter. He also pleads not guilty to dangerous driving during the police pursuit on April 21.