Driver found guilty of murder after dragging cyclist under car

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 19:33 · Archive

A driver has been found guilty of murder after striking a cyclist and dragging him under his car for more than a mile.

Simon Richardson, 35, has been found guilty of murder after striking Michael Mullins, a headteacher, who was cycling home from work in the early evening of 20 April. Richardson drove through give-way markers at a junction in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, and struck Mr Mullins, who fell onto the bonnet and windscreen of Richardson's Volvo XC90 before becoming trapped under the vehicle. Richardson then drove on for more than a mile with Mr Mullins, a father-of-two, entangled in the car's suspension.

Prosecutors told Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that Richardson was aware the trapped cyclist was beneath his feet shortly after the collision in Paddock Lane, Warburton. Prosecutor Phil Barnes KC said Richardson "knew he was there" and "inevitably knew what the consequences of driving on would be, and he did it anyway". He told jurors that Richardson chose to drive away rather than get out and help.

Richardson's front seat passenger, his cousin Gabrielle Debotte, gave evidence that both heard "moaning" from outside as the car drove away from the collision scene.

How it is being reported

• Motorist who dragged cyclist under his car for more than a mile guilty of murderA motorist has been found guilty of murder after hitting a cyclist and knowingly dragging him for more than a mile under his car.Sky News · 30 Oct, 17:25
• Driver who mowed down and dragged a cyclist under his car for more than a mile found guilty of murderProsecutors said the defendant was aware the trapped cyclist was inches below his feetThe Independent · 30 Oct, 13:34

In this story: Simon Richardson · Michael Mullins · Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court · Altrincham · Greater Manchester

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log