Dashcam footage released on Wednesday morning, October 21, shows the moments before Simon Richardson was arrested after a period of alleged dangerous driving on April 21. Richardson, 35, denies murdering 56-year-old Michael Mullins, the headteacher of Stretford Grammar School.
Alleged Collision and Pursuit
Prosecutors allege that Richardson hit Mullins as he pedalled home from work on April 20, and did not stop, dragging him along the road for 2.2km (1.3 miles) before leaving him to die on a grass verge. The footage, shown to the jury on Tuesday afternoon, October 20, shows Richardson allegedly driving at speed in a silver Ford Transit round a corner on Wrigley Head in Oldham. He is then seen to brake sharply in the middle of the road before fleeing from the driver's side.
Earlier in the trial, witnesses described seeing the Volvo 'absolutely tanking it' towards the junction of Dunham Road and Warburton Lane. The court heard that the Volvo was of 'obvious interest' to the police, and that the last time it was driven by Richardson was the night before, April 20, before it was swapped for a silver van.
Arrest Details
Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC said that at 10.45am on April 21, the silver van was seen in Failsworth and was followed by officers. Inspector Tom Abbott, in a statement, said he was driving towards the M6 when he saw the van, and pursued it after the driver drove off. The van collided with a central island, and the driver fled on foot. PC Gerard Elliott, driving a second police car, said he saw the driver get out of the van on John Street and run away, and later found Richardson 'crouched behind' a van. Richardson was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and gave no reaction, jurors were told.
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.
