A man has been found guilty of murdering a headteacher who was dragged more than a mile under his car after a collision in Greater Manchester. Simon Richardson, 35, was convicted on Friday (October 30) of murder and dangerous driving over the death of Michael Mullins, the headteacher of Stretford Grammar School.
Mr Mullins, a father of two, was cycling home from work when he was hit by Richardson's black Volvo XC90 on Warburton Lane in Partington. He was dragged 2.2km (1.3 miles) beneath the vehicle before being freed on a grass verge, where he was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
Collision and Dragging
The court heard that on April 21, 2026, Richardson left his cousin Gabrielle Debotte's home in Altrincham. The pair drove to a pub in Lymm, where Ms Debotte ran inside to use the toilet. CCTV captured the Volvo leaving the pub at 5.52pm, after which Richardson's driving became erratic, with witnesses describing him overtaking cars, breaking the speed limit and tailgating other vehicles along Dunham Road.
At the junction with Warburton Lane at 6.07pm, Richardson failed to give way and struck the left-hand side of Mr Mullins' bike, who was cycling south. Ms Debotte told jurors she shouted "bike" three times to alert Richardson, and a beep and a thud were heard on CCTV from a nearby building.
Fleeing the Scene
Following the collision, Richardson stopped for half a second before driving off. Ms Debotte told the court that Richardson said "He's under the car" after hearing a noise underneath the vehicle. Richardson continued driving for up to four-and-a-half minutes, dragging Mr Mullins along the road and leaving a trail of blood. He stopped at a junction on Wet Gate Lane in Lymm, where he made "concerted physical efforts" to remove Mr Mullins from under the car, pulling at him and jerking the steering wheel sharply to the right. Unsuccessful, he drove on, veering "sharply and deliberately" from side to side before mounting a grass verge, where Mr Mullins was finally freed.
Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC told jurors: "Simon Richardson, knowing he was to blame for what had happened, turned his head, put his foot down and - at times travelling at double the speed limit or more - he fled the scene." He added: "It would have taken no more than a glance in the rear-view mirror for the defendant to see that ghoulish line being drawn on the road behind him."
Attempted Cover-Up and Conviction
Richardson later filled up his car at a petrol station on High End Lane, drove to a salon in Lymm where Ms Debotte collected weight loss jabs, and then swapped his car for a silver van. He returned that night with friend Daniel Richards, and Ms Debotte told jurors that Richards "knew what happened and was trying to tell Simon and me what to say to the police." A note was created on Ms Debotte's phone with a false alibi. The next day, Richardson was seen driving dangerously in the van and was caught following a police chase.
Richardson denied responsibility, with his barrister Jaime Hamilton KC claiming his actions were "selfish" but did not amount to murder. The defence questioned Ms Debotte's testimony, describing her as a "narrator... prepared to say whatever it takes" to shift responsibility. Ms Debotte denied lying, telling jurors: "I am telling the truth." Jurors convicted Richardson of murder and dangerous driving following a day-and-a-half of deliberations.
Family Tributes
Judge Kate Brunnar KC told Richardson: "There is only one sentence that can be passed and it is a life sentence." He will return to court on Monday (November 2) to learn his minimum term. Mr Mullins' wife said: "My past, present and future have been brutally and callously torn apart. My memories of being with Michael through the rough and the smooth are now permanently tainted with sadness." She added: "Michael is irreplaceable to family, friends and the school. There is no one quite like him with his myriad of unique qualities that combined to make him mean so much to so many people."
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Louise Edwards said: "Remember Michael. Do not remember the offender who has been found guilty of his murder." She added: "A man who should have come home safe and sound to his family but will be remembered forever in the legacy he has left behind." Rebecca Macaulay-Addison, specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Michael Mullins should still be here with his family. Simon Richardson's actions have robbed them of a future together."
