Man jailed for killing Trafford headteacher as he cycled home
Simon Richardson dragged Michael Mullins for more than a mile after knocking into him with his car
Last updated 1 day ago
A man who crashed into a headteacher and dragged him along a road for more than a mile has been jailed for life for murder.
Simon Richardson hit Michael Mullins on 20 April 2026, while he was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School in Trafford.
He has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years and banned from driving for life after being found guilty of murder at a trial.
Sentencing Richardson, Mrs Justice Brunner KC told him he had shown an “astonishing degree of disregard for human life”.
She said: “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."
Mr Mullins, a father-of-two from Northwich in Cheshire, was cycling home from the school in the early evening of 20th April when he was hit by a Volvo XC90 driven by Richardson.
Richardson drove through give-way markers at a junction in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, and into Mr Mullins's path.
Mr Mullins fell on to the bonnet and windscreen before he was drawn under the car.
A trial heard he became entangled in the suspension as Richardson drove on.
The Crown said Richardson drove 1.3 miles to a secluded farm track in Wet Gate Lane, Lymm, in a bid to dislodge him.
Mr Mullins was finally released, but he was driven over as Richardson reversed and drove away.
A motorcyclist followed a trail of blood and found him alone and barely breathing on a grass verge.
Emergency services attended but could not save him, and he died from multiple injuries.
Richardson was arrested the next day.
He denied murder and claimed he did not realise Mr Mullins was underneath his car.
Jurors found him guilty after a trial lasting more than two weeks.
He was also found guilty of dangerous driving on 21st April, after a police pursuit before he was arrested.
Mrs Justice Brunner said: "You did that because you decided escaping from the scene of an accident was more important than a human life."
She said she did not believe Richardson was remorseful.
Defence barrister Jaime Hamilton KC said the absence of premeditation was a significant feature of the case, and that Richardson had not intended to use his vehicle as a weapon.
Mr Hamilton said: "This defendant did accept that his actions did lead to the death of Mr Mullins and through me, he expresses his remorse."
The judge also banned Richardson from driving for life, citing his "appalling" record.
The court heard he had previous convictions for 28 offences, including a number of driving-related crimes.
Mr Mullins's wife of 27 years, Sarah Mullins, gave a victim impact statement at the hearing.
She said: "I am, we are, completely adrift and bereft without our anchor, Michael Mullins."
Elizabeth Baxter, the acting head teacher at Stretford Grammar School, said Mr Mullins led the school for 17 years.
Ms Baxter said: "He has left a void and a gulf at every level of our school."