The defence for Simon Richardson, the driver accused of dragging headteacher Michael Mullins beneath his Volvo XC90 for 2.2km, conceded his actions were 'selfish' but argued they did not amount to murder, Minshull Street Crown Court heard today (October 27).
Prosecution alleges fatal collision
Michael Mullins, 56, was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School when he was struck by Richardson, 35, at the junction of Dunham Road and Warburton Lane, Altrincham, on the evening of April 20, 2026. The prosecution alleges Richardson drove through give way markers before hitting Mr Mullins, who was dragged under the 4x4 for '2.2km' and later pronounced dead on a grass verge on Wet Gate Lane in Lymm.
Richardson, of no fixed abode but formerly of Epsom Avenue, Sale, denies murder, an alternate offence of manslaughter, and dangerous driving. In his closing speech on Tuesday (October 27), defence counsel Jaime Hamilton KC acknowledged that Richardson's actions led to the tragic death of Mr Mullins and that he had acted in a 'selfish way', but urged the jury not to let their 'contempt' of Richardson inform their decision.
Defence questions witness reliability
Mr Hamilton said: "You are likely to hold Simon Richardson in contempt," adding that this may 'manifest itself in a loathing'. He argued that while this may be understandable, his actions 'did not make him guilty of the homicide offences on this indictment'.
The defence also questioned the reliability of the prosecution's evidence, describing 'assumptions' and 'speculation' at multiple points. Mr Hamilton highlighted inconsistencies in the statements of the defendant's cousin, Ms Gabrielle Debotte, who was in the passenger seat of the Volvo on the day of the incident. He noted she failed to mention hearing Richardson say 'he's under the car' in one police interview but mentioned it in another, and described her as a 'narrator' prepared to say 'whatever it takes' to shift responsibility away from herself.
Mr Hamilton also pointed to footage from a police helicopter over Paddock Lane and Wet Gate Lane, which he said dispelled Ms Debotte's claim that Richardson was driving in an 'erratic' manner. He argued the evidence showed a 'consistent route' with no signs of 'zig-zag' driving until the 'last moment' on Wet Gate Lane.
Evidence challenges
The defence questioned a claim that Richardson 'handled' Mr Mullins to remove him from under the vehicle, stating that 'no DNA' of Mr Mullins was found on Richardson's clothes or the vehicle, though he conceded the clothes Richardson wore may have been cleaned or different from those worn at the time.
Mr Hamilton also criticised the reliability of Apple Watch data used by the prosecution, pointing to a '23-second gap' in the data during the incident, which he described as 'unusual'. He added that the Apple Watch is not a 'certified piece of medical equipment.'
He told jurors: "One of the things that you will have to do in your assessment of Gabrielle Debotte is to ask yourself, is she a honest, accurate and reliable witness? We say she is a narrator prepared to say whatever it takes to remove her further away from any sort of responsibility, and as a consequence to shift Simon Richardson ever closer to whatever suits her at the moment." He also said the prosecution had been "blind to the distinct possibility" that Mr Mullins was run over by one of the front wheels in the initial moments of the collision.
Trial judge Mrs Justice Brunner instructed jurors that to convict Richardson of murder, they must be sure that for at least part of the time from when Mr Mullins was dragged under the car to being left on the grass verge, he intended to kill or seriously harm him, and that the injuries sustained during that period were more than a minimal contribution to his death. For manslaughter, they must be sure the defendant assaulted Mr Mullins, which was more than a minimal contribution to his death.
The defence argues no assault occurred because Richardson did not realise Mr Mullins was or possibly may have been under the car. Richardson denies murder, manslaughter, and a separate allegation of dangerous driving on April 21 following a police pursuit before his arrest. The trial continues.
