Simon Richardson Jailed for Life for Murder of Headteacher Michael Mullins

Simon Richardson Sentenced to Life for Murder After Dragging Cyclist Michael Mullins

A driver who ploughed into a headteacher cycling home from school and dragged him under his vehicle for more than a mile has been sentenced to life in prison. Simon Richardson, 35, must serve a minimum of 25 years behind bars after a jury at Manchester Minshull Street crown court found him guilty of murder.

The fatal collision occurred on the evening of 20 April in the village of Warburton in Trafford, Greater Manchester. Michael Mullins, 56, the headteacher of Stretford grammar school, was struck by a Volvo XC90 driven by Richardson after the motorist ignored give-way signs at a junction. Mullins hit the bonnet and windscreen before becoming entangled in the vehicle’s suspension.

The Fatal Drive Through Greater Manchester

During the trial, prosecutors established that Richardson continued driving for more than a mile with the victim trapped directly beneath his feet. The defendant’s front-seat passenger and cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, testified that they both heard moaning from outside the vehicle as they pulled away from the initial crash site, with Richardson remarking that Mullins was under the car.

Richardson drove to a secluded farm track in Lymm, 1.3 miles away, in an attempt to dislodge the victim. According to court testimony, he twice tried to pull Mullins out before returning to the driver’s seat, accelerating sharply from side to side, and mounting a grass verge. Mullins was finally released from the undercarriage before being run over again as Richardson reversed and fled the scene.

A motorcyclist following a trail of blood discovered Mullins alone and barely breathing on the grass verge. Emergency services arrived but were unable to save the father of two, who died from multiple injuries.

Weighing a Disregard for Human Life

Passing sentence on Monday, Mrs Justice Brunner KC told Richardson he had demonstrated an astonishing degree of disregard for human life.

“For every moment you carried on, you were knowingly using your heavy vehicle to cause serious injury to a man who was trapped, injured and completely helpless as a result of your actions.”

she said, adding that the defendant decided escaping the scene outweighed the value of a human life.

Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC told the court that Richardson had a significant criminal history comprising 28 previous convictions. His record includes driving-related offences such as careless driving and failure to stop or report an accident in 2011, driving with excess alcohol and driving whilst disqualified in 2012, and driving whilst disqualified and uninsured in 2013. In 2023, he had been convicted of driving without a licence and insurance.

Richardson had denied knowing that Mullins was trapped underneath the vehicle. However, prosecutor Barnes argued the defendant knew, “and he inevitably knew what the consequences of driving on would be, and he did it anyway”.

Remembering Michael Mullins

Family members wept in the courtroom as the verdict was delivered. Delivering a victim impact statement on Monday, Mullins’s wife, Sarah, described her life as brutally and callously torn apart.

“The fact that Michael had to endure such a violent and painful death is an open wound that refuses to heal,” she told the court, remembering her husband as the family’s anchor. Elizabeth Baxter, the acting head of Stretford grammar school, noted that Mullins had led the institution for 17 years as an inspirational leader, leaving a profound void across every level of the school community.

Det Ch Insp Louise Edwards of Greater Manchester police praised the courage of the victim’s family, stating that Richardson chose to take Mullins’ life in one of the most horrific ways she had ever seen. “Do not remember the offender who has been found guilty of his murder,” Edwards said. “Remember Michael – beloved in his community, his school, by his family and friends – a man who should have come home safe and sound to his family.”

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