A murder trial has heard how a driver led police on a pursuit the day after he allegedly struck Stretford Grammar headteacher Michael Mullins as he cycled home from work, before dragging him underneath his car for over a mile.
Simon Richardson, 35, is alleged to have struck Michael Mullins as he pedalled home from work at Stretford Grammar School, on April 20. Prosecutors allege that Mr Richardson did not stop and 'put his foot down', dragging 56-year-old Mr Mullins along the road for 2.2km - or 1.3 miles - before leaving him to die on a grass verge.
Witnesses Describe Collision
Earlier in the trial, witnesses described seeing the Volvo 'absolutely tanking it' towards the junction of Dunham Road and Warburton Lane. Mr Richardson denies murder, an alternate offence of manslaughter and dangerous driving, and is on trial at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.
On day six of the trial, jurors heard evidence about an alleged course of dangerous driving undertaken by Mr Richardson on the morning of April 21, this year.
Police Evidence and Pursuit
Giving evidence, officers in the case DS Tricia Soloman confirmed that the last time the Volvo was driven by Mr Richardson was the night before, April 20, before it was swapped for a silver van. The Volvo was said to be of 'obvious interest' to the police, she agreed.
At 7.34pm, the Volvo was seen in Altrincham by police, driven by Aaron Parry, jurors heard. It was seen going into the Asda car park, before officers spoke to Mr Parry and a female passenger, it was said. The Volvo was then taken into custody by police, the court heard.
Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC said that at 10.45am on the morning of April 21, the silver van was seen in Failsworth and was followed by officers. At one point the vehicle stopped and a passenger, said to be Daniel Richards, alighted from the car and tried to leave.
Arrest and Charges
In a statement from Inspector Tom Abbott, he said he was driving towards the M6 when he saw a silver Ford Transit, of which he was aware the driver was allegedly involved in a collision from the previous day. He said the van left the motorway at Manchester Lane and turned onto Wickentree Lane, then Peace Street, before it became double parked next to another van. Insp Abbott said he got out of the car and heard one of the van doors shut when a male passenger tried to leave.
"As soon as I left my vehicle, the driver [of the van] drove off. I got back in my vehicle and began to pursue," he said. He turned onto Corporation Street then Oldham Road, then Wellington Street, he said. Insp Abbot said the driver showed 'no consideration for the safety' of others on the road due to the speed he was driving.
He said he then saw a 'cloud of dust and gravel' when the van collided with the central island of the road. He said the van was driving in excess of 50mph. The van then stopped on Corporation Street, where the driver got out and he was pursued on foot.
"I noticed he had gone down a ginnel, I ran towards him and saw PC Elliott tackled him to the ground," he said. He said the driver was later confirmed to be Simon Richardson using a photograph.
In a statement from PC Gerard Elliott, who was driving a second police car, he said he was made aware that the van was on the M60 heading towards Oldham. He said at 10.49am the van came to a stop before it made off from police, travelling at 50mph in a 30mph zone. Of the foot chase he said the driver got out of the van on John Street and ran away. He said he followed and approached from the rear of a van, of which Mr Richardson was 'crouched behind'.
PC Elliott said the defendant stood and tried to escape, but was apprehended. Mr Richardson was then arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and gave no reaction to his arrest, jurors were told. Dashcam footage of the pursuit was shown to the jury, from Manchester Lane to the moment Mr Richardson was seen to flee from the van.
Mr Richardson, of no fixed address but formerly of Epsom Avenue in Sale, denies murder, an alternate offence of manslaughter and dangerous driving. The trial continues.
