Simon Richardson has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of headteacher Michael Mullins, who was dragged under a car for 2.2km (1.3 miles) before dying at the roadside.
Richardson, 35, struck Mr Mullins at the junction of Dunham Road and Warburton Lane in Partington on April 20 this year, as the beloved headteacher of Stretford Grammar School cycled home from work. Mr Mullins was then dragged underneath Richardson's Volvo before dying on Wet Gate Lane in Lymm.
Trial and conviction
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Richardson had previously made 'physical concerted efforts' to remove Mr Mullins from under his car before continuing driving. Richardson then drove away from the scene, later swapping his car for a silver van. The following day he was caught after leading police on a high-speed pursuit through Failsworth.
Following a two-week trial, jurors found him guilty of murder and dangerous driving. On November 2, he was jailed for life to serve a minimum term of 25 years.
Victim impact statements
During the hearing, the court heard moving statements from Sarah, Mr Mullins' wife, his son Harry, daughter Maisie, and the acting head of Stretford Grammar School, Elizabeth Baxter. Sarah began by thanking the members of the public who helped find Mr Mullins, the medics, the emergency services, the police and the prosecution team.
Sarah said: "As you may imagine it's impossible to put into words the true impact Michael's death had on us all. The sudden manner of his passing at the side of the road robbed us of the opportunity to tell him how much we loved him.
"Michael was my safety net. He was a cook, chauffeur, he was funny and kind. We have been together for 33 years and married for 27. My past, present and future have been callously torn apart.
"It is for Michael I cry. For everything taken from him, our plans to travel, to see our children married. He was taken by the vicious heinous actions of an individual who had given nothing back to society.
"I try to focus on ensuring that Michael is remembered with the dignity and affection he would have wanted. He was a devoted family man, he loved his friends, but he lived and breathed his vocation as a teacher and headteacher.
"It took me a long time to come to terms with the realisation that I had to share him with so many people but in the end, I came to accept that and realise that this was what made Michael, Michael. I wish I could have told him that more.
"His death has created an enormous black hole and sucked all joy into it. The fact that Michael had to endure such a violent painful death, is a permanent open wound unable to heal.
"I am, we are, completely adrift and bereft without our anchor, Michael Mullins."
Family tributes
In a statement after the hearing, Sarah, a retired teacher, said: "The past six months have been the worst of our lives. The pain has been unimaginable and, still to this day, I can't believe that Michael won't ever be coming home.
"He was the most devoted husband, dad and grandad, and the world was a much better place with him around. I can't even being to explain how it feels having to navigate the rest of our lives without him. He was our safety net – kind, generous, funny and endlessly supportive.
"He also believed deeply in helping others and spent his life making a difference through his work in education. I know there are many who will miss him dearly."
She added: "While this has been the darkest time for us, we will never forget the help and support we've received from others, especially those who stayed with Michael when he passed, and the emergency services and first responders who battled to save him.
"Although they were strangers, they did their best to comfort my husband and, while nothing will ever take away our pain, that's something I'll never forget.
"We've also been shown great compassion from so many people throughout the last six months and we really can't thank them enough. Our Michael was irreplaceable and will be missed every single day."
Acting headteacher Elizabeth Baxter said: "He was appointed in 2009 when the school was in special measures. Over the next 17 years Michael's impact on the school was truly transformative.
"It became a highly special, popular and over-subscribed school and well respected in the community. It was an honour and privilege to work alongside him.
"He was determined to instil a very high standard and expectation within school, underpinned by the unshakable belief that our students deserved the very best.
"Michael created a very special community built on respect and kindness. He was not a headteacher who spent all day in his office with the door closed.
"He was on duty on the main road every day before and after school. He was on lunch duty, serving chips on Thursday lunch time. He knew the name of every single person, his office door was always open and he loved students to pop in to ask about the football.
"He has left a void and a gulf at every level of our school. Michael had a reach and impact that stretched way beyond our school gates.
"The students don't have him standing on the front gate in the morning any longer, commenting on last night's Liverpool match, chivvying them along with his catchphrase, 'If you were about to miss a plane, you'd be running now', his nicknames and the biscuits he would give out to students on a Friday.
"The staff don't have him anymore in his office, with the door open, never too busy for a chat, a comforting word, help with a decision or some advice.
"Michael's impact on Stretford Grammar School, on us, his community of students, staff, governors and parents was truly immeasurable.
"His loss has been unbearable for every single one of us at school, and it is only because of the community he created and the strength that he gave us that we will continue in his name and carry out his wishes and his legacy.
"We will never forget him; we will remember and honour him as he was, our beloved Headteacher, colleague and dear friend."
Mr Mullins' son, Harry, said: "My dad was my best friend. A strong man immensely proud of his roots. He felt pride in being a father, husband and grandad.
"Dad wanted to make the world a better place. He told me that is all we need to aim for and if you can do that you can be proud of yourself.
"There are no words that can express the devastation caused and the emptiness that will remain in our lives without him."
Maisie, Mr Mullins' daughter, said: "I'm angry as his death did not have to happen. He did not have to be abandoned. He did not have to be dragged. He did not have to be hit. I cannot let the emotion develop fully as it would consume me.
"He was the hardest working person I think I have ever or will ever know and for that I am so thankful as his dedication to instil the same attitude in me has led me to all my successes in life.
"All of what should be the happiest moments in my life will have a cloud somewhere knowing that he should have been there. He should have been there each Christmas, up at the crack of dawn to put the turkey in. He should have been there to ask for advice for work. He should have been there to walk me down the aisle.
"I feel broken but I know there will be nothing to ever fully fix me. Some days grief swallows me so much it's hard to believe the last six months are real."
Legal and police response
Matthew Garson, the road traffic collision expert at Irwin Mitchell representing Mr Mullins' family, said: "Losing Michael so suddenly and in such traumatic circumstances has had a profound impact on all who knew and loved him.
"In particular, his loved ones understandably remain devastated by their loss and the criminal trial has led to them having to relive it all over again. Hearing how Michael died would undoubtedly have been unbearable for them.
"While nothing will ever change what they've been through, Sarah and the rest of the family want to focus on remembering the gentle and loving person that Michael was. They also want to publicly acknowledge the people who were there for Michael in his final moments, and those who have supported them following his death.
"It's provided them with a bit of comfort during an incredibly difficult time.
"Michael's death, however, is also a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that innocent people can face as a result of the selfish actions of others. His family are the ones now facing a life sentence.
"It's therefore vital that road users take care at all times."
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Louise Edwards said: "Since the verdict on Friday there has been an outpouring of kind thoughts from all those who knew Mr Mullins – the impact this investigation has had on the community has been felt throughout.
"Former pupils who are now officers have contacted our team to say how thankful they were that we have seen justice for Michael.
"Richardson is now set to face many years behind bars however he will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life. The decisions he made tore a loving grandfather, husband, dad, friend and colleague away from this world.
"This investigation has always been for Michael – for everyone that has been left devastated by his death. Richardson has been sentenced and the trial is over however what happened to Michael and Richardson's actions will stay with everyone who knew Michael and was impacted by his kind heart, warming nature and unwavering commitment to his loved ones, and his school.
"Finally, I'd like to say thank you to Michael's family. They have sat in court every single day hearing what happened to this incredible man, and they have done it with courage. They have done it for their love for Michael – a man who will forever be in everyone's hearts."
