Driver jailed for 25 years for murdering trapped cyclist

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 21:26 · Archive

Simon Richardson, 35, was jailed for a minimum of 25 years after dragging cyclist Michael Mullins 2.2km under his car.

Simon Richardson, 35, of Sale, has been jailed for a minimum of 25 years after being found guilty of murdering cyclist Michael Mullins. The conviction followed a jury trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, with jurors deliberating for 10 hours and 55 minutes before reaching their verdict.

On 20 April, Richardson struck Mullins, 56, with his Volvo as the cyclist was travelling home from work at Stretford Gramma School. Prosecution counsel Phil Barnes told the court that Richardson's vehicle had been driving erratically before the collision. At the junction on Paddock Lane, Richardson failed to give way despite his passenger Gabrielle Debotte shouting 'bike' three times.

Following the collision, Mullins was thrown onto the bonnet before becoming trapped under the front of the car, entangled on the front left side wheel. Richardson continued driving with Mullins beneath the vehicle for 2.2km, at times reaching speeds of around 60mph. Debotte told the jury that she could hear 'moaning' coming from under the car soon after the collision and that Richardson said 'he's under the car' as he drove away from the scene.

The vehicle eventually stopped at the junction of Wet Gate Lane in Lymm, where it remained for around two minutes. Debotte said that Richardson then got out and attempted twice to pull Mullins from underneath the car, unsuccessfully both times, before driving on again.

How it is being reported

• Driver who murdered cyclist and dragged him under car for 2.2km jailed for 25 yearsA driver who murdered a cyclist after hitting him with his car and dragging him 2.2km while he was trapped underneath has been jailed for a minimum of 25 years.Chester Standard · 2 Nov, 16:46
• Driver who murdered cyclist and dragged him under car for 2.2km jailed for 25 yearsA driver who murdered a cyclist after hitting him with his car and dragging him 2.2km while he was trapped underneath has been jailed for a minimum of 25 years.Northwich Guardian · 2 Nov, 13:31
• Driver who murdered cyclist and dragged him under car for 2.2km jailed for 25 yearsA driver who murdered a cyclist after hitting him with his car and dragging him 2.2km while he was trapped underneath has been jailed for a minimum of 25 years.Warrington Guardian · 2 Nov, 13:31

In this story: Simon Richardson · Michael Mullins · Gabrielle Debotte · Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court · Sale · Stretford Gramma School · Paddock Lane · Lymm

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