A jury at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court has found a motorist guilty of murder after a cyclist was dragged under his car for more than a mile. Simon Richardson, aged 35, was convicted following a two-week trial over the death of Michael Mullins, a 56-year-old headteacher at Stretford Grammar School and a father of two.

Mr Mullins was cycling home from work in the early evening of 20 April when he was struck by a Volvo XC90 driven by Richardson at a junction in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. The court heard that Richardson drove through give-way markings and into the cyclist's path. Mr Mullins fell onto the bonnet and windscreen before being drawn under the vehicle, where he became entangled in its suspension.

What the prosecution argued

Prosecutors told jurors that Richardson knew Mr Mullins was trapped beneath the car and drove on regardless. The prosecution said Richardson drove about 1.3 to 1.4 miles to a secluded lane in Lymm, Cheshire, swerving from side to side in an attempt to dislodge him. A motorcyclist later followed a trail of blood and found Mr Mullins on a grass verge, barely breathing. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Richardson denied murder and said he had not realised Mr Mullins was underneath his car. He did not give evidence at the trial, and the jury rejected his account. He was also found guilty of dangerous driving linked to a police pursuit on 21 April, when he was arrested.

Sentencing to follow

The judge told Richardson that the only sentence for murder is life imprisonment, and sentencing was scheduled for Monday 2 November. The Crown Prosecution Service said Mr Mullins should still be with his family, and that Richardson's actions had robbed them of a future together.