A man accused of murdering a headteacher drove at speeds of over 40mph with the cyclist trapped beneath his wheels, a jury was told yesterday (October 15).
Simon Richardson, 35, is alleged to have knocked Michael Mullins off his bike as he pedalled home from work at Stretford Grammar School, on April 20. But the prosecution at Minshull Street Crown Court say Mr Richardson did not stop and put his foot down, dragging Mr Mullins, 56, along the road for 1.3 miles before leaving him to die on a grass verge.
Witnesses describe Volvo 'absolutely tanking it'
Earlier in the trial, witnesses described seeing the Volvo 'absolutely tanking it' towards the junction of Dunham Road and Warburton Lane. PC Mark Noonan, a forensic collision investigator for GMP, showed the jury a number of CCTV clips of the Volvo before and after the collision.
Footage from a house 60 metres before the junction showed the car travelling at 55mph, the court heard. The speed limit in that area is 40mph, PC Noonan said. The officer said he visited the scene shortly after the collision and noted the road was dry with no marks or defects which would have affected driving conditions.
Damage consistent with dragging
When he arrived at the scene, PC Noonan said he saw Mr Mullins' damaged bike lying in the carriageway. Fragments of carbon fibre from his helmet were also in the road and 'body scuff marks' ran alongside the tyre marks, the witness said.
PC Noonan showed the jury a second piece of footage, taken from Mill Lane, after the collision site. In this clip, the Volvo was going 43.3mph, the officer calculated. At this point, it is alleged Mr Mullins was underneath the car.
The final CCTV clip shown to the jury captured the Volvo pulling in towards the grass verge on Wet Gate Lane. PC Noonan said the movement of the vehicle was consistent with it running over Mr Mullins before driving away.
Mr Mullins was found by the side of the road, badly injured and barely breathing, by a motorcyclist who had followed the route of the Volvo. The man dialled 999 and performed CPR until paramedics arrived but it was too late to save Mr Mullins and he died by the side of the road.
The prosecution say Mr Richardson did not stop and put his foot down - knowing there was someone under the vehicle. Mr Richardson, formerly of Epsom Avenue, Sale, denies murder.
Forensic evidence shown to jury
The jury has been shown damage to the underside of the Volvo which investigators say is consistent with a person being dragged beneath the car. Damage to the bumper was consistent with it colliding with the bike frame and dents to the bonnet suggested it had come into contact with a person, PC Noonan said.
A 'bullseye' pattern of shattered glass on the windscreen was consistent with it being struck by Mr Mullins' bike helmet.
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.
