Killer driver who mowed down 'uniquely talented' headteacher in two-ton SUV and dragged him for over a mile convicted of his murder

A callous driver who mowed down a ‘uniquely talented’ headteacher as he cycled home from school then dragged him to his death beneath a two-ton SUV has been convicted of his murder.Simon Richardson, 35, who had just been released from prison, was described by witnesses as ‘tanking it’ as he sped through a junction in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, on April 20 in a Volvo XC90.However, it ploughed into Michael Mullins, 56, who was riding home from Stretford Grammar School where he had been a 'brilliant' and 'transformative' leader for 17 years, trapping him beneath the wheels.Instead of stopping, Richardson pressed on ‘regardless’ for more than a mile at up to 60mph, with Mr Mullins still under the car, inflicting further catastrophic injuries on the married father-of-two.He even 'veered sharply and deliberately from side to side' to try to dislodge Mr Mullins, a court heard.The teacher was finally thrown clear when the car mounted a grass verge on a country lane before being driven over again by Richardson.Leaving Mr Mullins dying at the roadside, he stopped to fill his dented car up with fuel and collect weight-loss medication for his cousin, who was in the passenger seat.Witnesses who were alerted by a ‘trail of blood’ in the road went to help Mr Mullins, who was still breathing. Michael Mullins, 56, was cycling home from work at Stretford Grammar School when he was dragged underneath Simon Richardson's car for more than one mile The dented Volvo, pictured moments after the crash, shows Simon Richardson behind the wheel, with the driver's window rolled down But he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.50pm, about 40 minutes after he was knocked off his bike.Richardson switched the Volvo for a van, but was arrested the next day following a brief pursuit after his cousin contacted police.Today, after deliberating for around 11 hours, a jury at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester convicted Richardson of murder and dangerous driving. Their verdict was greeted with gasps of ‘Yes!’ from the public gallery, where relatives and friends of Mr Mullins hugged and sobbed. Richardson will be sentenced on Monday, but the judge, Mrs Justice Brunner, told him: ‘There’s only one sentence which I can pass and it’s a life sentence. It comes to me to determine the length of term.’Richardson showed no emotion as he was led away to the cells. At the time of the tragedy, Richardson had been ‘couch-surfing’ with friends and relatives after being released from prison.Shortly after 6pm on April 20, Mr Mullins – who is said to have been fit – was riding the 19-mile journey to his home near Northwich, Cheshire, when he was knocked off his bike by Richardson.The stricken headteacher was found on a grass verge 1.3 miles away in Lymm, Cheshire, where Andrew Besant-Roberts was first to the scene, alerted by a ‘trail of blood... weaving’ along the road for 200 yards.'Then I saw a cyclist on a grass verge who appeared to be in a position similar to the recovery position,’ he told the court.‘He was laid on his side unconscious, but I could see he was still breathing.' Mr Mullins, pictured with his children, was treated by paramedics but was declared dead at the roadside 40 minutes after the collision, jurors were told A hooded Richardson caught on CCTV filling up with fuel shortly after leaving Mr Mullins dying by the roadsideMr Besant-Roberts called 999, but despite carrying out chest compressions and then being helped by a paramedic who arrived shortly after, Mr Mullins was declared dead at the scene.Analysis of his Apple watch showed that a heart beat was still being recorded when he was flung out from under the car.Doctors confirmed that he survived the initial impact but suffered fatal injuries caused when Richardson continued to drive with him beneath the car.Richardson's cousin, Gabrielle Debotte, 27, who was in the front passenger seat, told the court that the incident left her 'shocked' and 'scared'.She said that in the moments prior to the collision she had told him to ‘slow down’, but he smirked and said: 'I'm a professional driver.'As the Volvo approached a junction she desperately shouted 'bike' three times because she noticed Richardson 'wasn't stopping', she added.After hitting Mr Mullins she said Richardson drove off in an 'erratic' manner as ‘moaning’ sounds could be heard from beneath the vehicle.At one point Richardson stopped and attempted to pull Mr Mullins free before getting back behind the wheel and speeding off again, she said, ‘veering’ from side to side. Richardson caught on camera overtaking a car shortly before he hit Mr Mullins An image from dashcam footage shown to jurors of a police pursuit of the defendant driving a silver Ford Transit van in Failsworth, Greater Manchester, the following dayRichardson did not give evidence in his own defence.But cross-examining Ms Debotte, Jaime Hamilton KC, defending, said Richardson denied getting out of the vehicle or trying to pull Mr Mullins clear.However, she denied changing her account to avoid getting ‘in trouble’ herself.She put her failure to call 999 that evening down to ‘shock’ and having ‘never been’ in a situation like that.Ms Debotte 'broke down' at the nursery where she worked the next day and told staff what had happened before going to police, jurors heard.Following his death, Mr Mullins’ family paid tribute to him as a 'loving Dad, husband, brother-in-law, “Diddy”, uncle, son-in-law'.‘A gap has been left in our hearts and within his role as a headteacher of Stretford Grammar School,’ they added.‘He was devoted to his family, and our lives will never be the same.‘Our Dad gave us fantastic memories growing up, including a trip getting lost at night around Washington DC. But it was in his role as a grandad where he truly excelled.‘Our love and memories of Michael will know no limits.‘We will love him for ever, to Saturn and beyond.’Meanwhile, Stretford Grammar School said it was mourning a ‘uniquely talented headteacher and a man of unshakeable principles’ who would be remembered for his ‘quietly brilliant’ leadership and ‘transformative’ vision.In a glowing tribute it described Mr Mullins as ‘a compassionate leader, and a source of unwavering support for students and staff alike’.Richardson, formerly of Sale, Greater Manchester, had denied murder and an alternative count of manslaughter, as well as a charge of dangerous driving linked to the police pursuit of his van the day after Mr Mullins was killed.