Driver Who Dragged School Principal Under Car for More Than a Mile Sentenced to a Minimum of 25 Years for Murder
Michael Mullins (left); Simon Richardson (right)Credit: Greater Manchester Police
Simon Richardson, 35, was sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison and given a lifetime driving ban on Monday, Nov. 2, after being found guilty of murdering school principal Michael Mullins
Richardson hit Mullins and then drove off with the teacher still trapped beneath the car on April 20
Mullins’ wife described her husband as a “devoted family man” who “loved his friends”
A man has been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years in prison for murder after dragging a high school principal under his car for more than a mile.
Simon Richardson was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 25 years and given a lifetime driving ban on Monday, Nov. 2, after being found guilty of murdering Michael Mullins, according to a Greater Manchester Police press release.
Mullins, 56, was cycling home from his job as principal at Stretford Grammar School, in Greater Manchester, England, on April 20, when Richardson’s vehicle hit and killed him, according to trial testimony, the release and a report by U.K. newspaper The Times.
Richardson did not yield at a stop sign and collided with Mullins. The 35-year-old then drove off with the teacher still trapped beneath the car, per authorities.
Michael MullinsCredit: Greater Manchester Police
It was said that Richardson was traveling at around 50 mph when he veered into Mullins’ path, the outlet noted.
The father of two hit the windshield before he was dragged under the car and became tangled in the vehicle’s suspension, the trial heard, per the BBC.
Prosecutors argued that Richardson was aware Mullins was trapped under the car and stopped twice to attempt to pull him free, the BBC reported.
He proceeded to drive the car onto a grassy area, dislodging Mullins more than a mile away from where he was initially hit. Richardson then reversed over the principal, causing “crushing” injuries to his chest, the trial heard, per the BBC.
A biker discovered Mullins after finding a trail of blood down the road. First responders were called, but Mullins could not be saved, per The Times.
Simon RichardsonCredit: Greater Manchester Police
Richardson attempted to change cars to evade police but was eventually arrested the following day on April 21 and charged with murder, according to the police press release.
He pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty by a jury on Friday, Oct. 30, following a two-week trial at Manchester Minshull Street Court.
Mullins’ wife described her husband as a “devoted family man” who “loved his friends” and “lived and breathed his vocation as a teacher” in an impact statement read out in court, per the release.
“I try to focus on ensuring that Michael is remembered with the dignity and affection he would have wanted,” she added.
Mullins’ son said that he made “the world a better place,” noting, “There are no words that can express the devastation caused and the emptiness that will remain in our lives without him.”
His daughter described Mullins as the “hardest working person I think I have ever or will ever know.”
“All of what should be the happiest moments in my life will have a cloud somewhere knowing that he should have been there,” she said in her impact statement. “He should have been there each Christmas, up at the crack of dawn to put the turkey in. He should have been there to ask for advice for work. He should have been there to walk me down the aisle.”
Richardson had previous convictions for 28 offenses, including careless driving and failure to stop or report an accident in 2011, prosecutor Phil Barnes told the court, per the BBC.
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Other past convictions included driving with excess alcohol and driving while disqualified in 2012. The following year, he drove while disqualified and uninsured.
He was also convicted of driving without a licence and insurance in 2023, the court was told, per the outlet.
Liz Baxter, the acting principal of Stretford Grammar School, said Mullins’ impact on the community was “truly immeasurable.”
“His loss has been unbearable for every single one of us at school, and it is only because of the community he created and the strength that he gave us that we will continue in his name and carry out his wishes and his legacy,” she added, per the release.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Louise Edwards said students contacted their team to say how “thankful” they were to get justice for Mullins.
“Richardson is now set to face many years behind bars; however, he will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life,” she said. “The decisions he made tore a loving grandfather, husband, dad, friend and colleague away from this world.”
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