The trial of a man accused of murdering Stretford Grammar headteacher Michael Mullins has heard a second week of evidence, including claims that the victim was dragged under a car for 1.3 miles before dying at the roadside.
Simon Richardson, 35, allegedly struck Mr Mullins with his Volvo in Altrincham in April at the junction of Dunham Road and Warburton Lane, a jury at Minshull Street Crown Court was told. The 56-year-old headteacher was cycling home to Northwich from work at the time.
It is alleged that Mr Richardson failed to properly observe the junction, 'flying straight through the give-way markers', before hitting Mr Mullins. The court heard that Mr Richardson 'put his foot down' as Mr Mullins was trapped under the car, while his damaged bike was left in the road.
Dragged for 1.3 miles
Mr Mullins was dragged under the wheels of the car for 1.3 miles (2.2km) before dying at the roadside on Wet Gate Lane in Lymm, it was said. Prosecutors allege that Mr Richardson later stopped, got out of the car and made 'concerted physical efforts' to pull Mr Mullins out from underneath the vehicle.
He then carried on driving, veering 'sharply and deliberately' from side to side and mounting a grass verge. Witnesses followed a trail of blood in the road before finding Mr Mullins fatally injured. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mr Richardson, of no fixed abode but formerly of Epsom Avenue, Sale, denies murder, an alternative offence of manslaughter, and dangerous driving.
Dashcam and medical evidence
On day five of the trial, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) released dashcam footage of Mr Richardson's driving moments before the collision. The footage, taken from the car behind, shows him moving into the opposite lane and driving past two cars. An image from an ANPR camera allegedly shows a dent to the front right of the Volvo's bonnet and the driver's window fully down.
Dr Terrence McGloughlin, a consultant in emergency medicine, told the court he believed Mr Mullins survived the initial impact. Asked whether Mr Mullins was unconscious throughout the dragging, he said: "On the evidence provided I am unable to say whether he was conscious or not."
Dr McGloughlin said data from an Apple Watch worn by Mr Mullins showed his heart continued to record after he was released from the car, supporting that he was "still physiologically alive". In cross-examination by Jaime Hamilton KC, the doctor accepted he was not an expert in Apple Watch data accuracy.
GPS and phone tracking
Dr Chaz Dixon, an expert in navigation and GPS technology, told the court how data from a phone belonging to Gabrielle Debotte, a passenger in the Volvo, and Mr Mullins' Apple Watch tracked the journey. The data showed the watch moving from Stretford Grammar School through Stretford, Urmston, Flixton, Carrington and towards Lymm.
Dr Dixon noted a 28-second gap in the watch data, which he said was "very unusual" and likely a direct result of the collision.
Police pursuit and arrest
On day six, jurors heard evidence about an alleged course of dangerous driving on the morning of April 21. Officer in the case DS Tricia Soloman confirmed the Volvo was last driven by Mr Richardson on the night of April 20 before being swapped for a silver van.
At 10.45am on April 21, the silver van was seen in Failsworth and followed by officers. Inspector Tom Abbott described pursuing the van, which drove at speeds in excess of 50mph and collided with a central island. The driver, later confirmed as Mr Richardson, was pursued on foot and apprehended by PC Gerard Elliott.
Dashcam footage of the pursuit and arrest was shown to the jury.
Passenger's account
Gabrielle Debotte, Mr Richardson's cousin, said she was in the passenger seat at the time. She told the court she shouted "bike" three times as they approached the junction, but Mr Richardson didn't slow down. She said she heard "moaning" noises from under the car and that Mr Richardson told her "he's under the car".
Ms Debotte said Mr Richardson stopped the car for a "split second" after the collision, then drove off. She described his driving as "erratic", with him swerving the wheel. She said he later got out twice to try to remove Mr Mullins from under the car but was unsuccessful.
In cross-examination, Mr Hamilton suggested Ms Debotte was changing her account to avoid trouble. She denied this, saying "I'm just telling the truth."
The court also heard a statement from Ms Debotte's manager, Nicola Goddard, who called police after Ms Debotte told her about the collision. Ms Goddard said she was "shocked and disgusted" and asked "what the hell were you doing".
Mr Hamilton told the court that Mr Richardson will not give evidence, and the defence will not call or present any evidence.
