Driver who was jailed for life for dragging a headteacher a mile to his death had 28 previous convictions
Dashcam footage of Simon Richardson's van at Wrigley Head, as his cousin Gabrielle Debotte — his front-seat passenger — was heard shouting 'bike' three times because he 'wasn't stopping'.Simon Richardson, in a custody photograph, had heard victim Michael Mullins "moaning for many minutes" before driving at speed for four-and-a-half minutes knowing he was conscious beneath the van.CCTV footage of a dark green Volvo XC90 driven by Simon Richardson, who had 28 previous convictions including drink driving and driving whilst disqualified before he murdered Michael Mullins on 20 April.Michael Mullins, headteacher of Stretford Grammar School, whose wife Sarah said her 'past, present, and future have been brutally and callously torn apart' by his murder.
Simon Richardson, 35, of no fixed address, was on bail for assaulting an emergency worker when he killed Michael Mullins, 56, on 20 April — having been released from prison on remand just weeks before the crash. Richardson ignored give-way markings at a junction in Warburton, Greater Manchester, and drove on for 1.3 miles at up to 60mph with Mullins trapped beneath his Volvo XC90, then reversed over him. Judge Mrs Justice Brunner told Richardson he had shown an "astonishing degree of disregard for human life."
Richardson had 28 previous convictions, including drink-driving, driving while disqualified and failing to stop after crashing into a wall.
Mullins's widow Sarah called his killer a 'true coward' who is 'not worthy of any place in society' as the family addressed the court.
Acting head Elizabeth Baxter said Mullins transformed Stretford Grammar School from special measures to a 'highly special, popular and over-subscribed school' over 17 years.
