Man found guilty of murdering head teacher by dragging him under a car
A court in England has convicted a 35-year-old man of murdering a 56-year-old head teacher who was hit while cycling and dragged for over a mile under the car. Sentencing is due on Monday.
Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in England has found Simon Richardson, 35, guilty of murder. He hit Michael Mullins, a 56-year-old head teacher cycling home from work, and then dragged him for more than a mile trapped under the wheels of his car. Richardson was also convicted of dangerous driving and will be sentenced on Monday.
What happened
The incident took place on the evening of 20 April in the village of Warburton, Greater Manchester. The court heard that Richardson drove through "give way" markings at a junction and collided with Mr Mullins, who went under the vehicle.
Prosecutors said Richardson left the scene, then stopped to try to dislodge the injured but still-living cyclist, before driving on with Mr Mullins still lodged underneath.
A motorcyclist followed a trail of blood and found Mr Mullins alone and barely breathing on a grass verge in a secluded country lane in Lymm, Cheshire. Emergency services pronounced him dead at the scene shortly afterwards.
The verdict
When the murder verdict was returned, shouts of "Yes!" came from the public gallery, and others could be heard crying. The judge, Mrs Justice Brunner, told Richardson there was only one sentence for murder: life imprisonment. She thanked the jury and acknowledged that their task "cannot have been easy".
The report is being updated, with more details to follow.
