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Driver jailed for life for murder of headteacher Michael Mullins

Summarised from 3 outlets · 9 reports · Updated 3 Nov, 06:24 · Archive

Simon Richardson, 35, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years for the murder of headteacher Michael Mullins.

Simon Richardson, 35, of Sale, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Michael Mullins, a 56-year-old headteacher who was hit by Richardson's Volvo XC90 while cycling home from Stretford Grammar School in Manchester on 20 April.

Richardson drove through give-way markers at a junction in Warburton, Altrincham, and struck Mr Mullins, who fell onto the bonnet and windscreen before becoming entangled in the suspension of the 4×4 vehicle. Richardson then drove on with Mr Mullins trapped underneath, dragging him for more than a mile. A jury unanimously found Richardson guilty on Friday, agreeing he knew Mr Mullins was trapped under his car.

Justice Kate Brunner sentenced Richardson to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years. In her sentencing remarks, she told him: 'For every moment you carried on, you were knowingly using your heavy vehicle to cause serious injury to a man who was trapped, injured and completely helpless as a result of your actions. You did that because you decided escaping from the scene of an accident was more important than a human life.'

The judge described Mr Mullins as a 'strong Cumbrian man' and 'much admired headteacher' who had been a family man providing inspiration and leadership to many beyond the school gate. Justice Brunner said: 'You took away a life and in doing so you caused devastation to a family and a community.'

During the trial, prosecutors said Richardson was aware the trapped cyclist was inches below his feet shortly after the collision. Richardson's front seat passenger, his cousin Gabrielle Debotte, told the court that both heard 'moaning' from outside as he drove away from the scene.

Driver jailed for life for murder of headteacher Michael Mullins
Image: Cheshire Live

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In this story: Simon Richardson · Michael Mullins · Justice Kate Brunner · Stretford Grammar School · Altrincham · Sale

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