Headteacher was allegedly dragged beneath car for more than a mile before dying
A court has heard that headteacher Michael Mullins was struck while cycling home and dragged beneath a car for more than a mile before being left fatally injured. Prosecutors allege driver Simon Richardson knew Mullins was trapped and alive, yet drove on, making the case a murder trial rather than solely a road collision case.
Mullins, 56, had led Stretford Grammar School for 17 years and was riding a 19-mile route towards Weaverham when he was hit in Altrincham on 20 April 2026. Prosecutors say Richardson, 35, stopped briefly and tried to free him, then continued at speeds reportedly reaching 60mph; after Mullins was dislodged, the car allegedly ran over him. He was found in Lymm and pronounced dead about 40 minutes after the collision; the court heard his fatal injuries were caused by being dragged.
- Headteacher Michael Mullins died after being dragged beneath a car.
- Prosecutors allege the driver knew he was trapped and alive.
- The driver denies the murder charge as the trial hears evidence.
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Michael Mullins was headteacher of Stretford Grammar School for 17 years. On 20 April 2026, he was cycling home when he was hit by a car in Altrincham and later died from his injuries.
The driver, Simon Richardson, is on trial for murder. Prosecutors allege he realised Mullins was trapped beneath the car and alive, but drove on; that allegation is central to why the case is being heard as a murder trial.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
If the prosecution’s account is proved, the driver’s alleged awareness that Mullins was trapped and alive, followed by continuing to drive at speed, could support treating the death as murder rather than as a fatal collision. That distinction reflects the principle that knowingly persisting in conduct with potentially lethal consequences may warrant greater criminal responsibility than causing death through careless driving alone.
The case against
The defence may argue that a tragic death and alarming allegations do not by themselves establish murder: the prosecution must prove the required state of mind beyond reasonable doubt. The collision, brief attempt to free Mullins and subsequent driving need to be assessed in full context, including whether the driver understood the danger and intended or foresaw consequences at the level the charge requires.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Driver crashed into grammar school head cycling home before dragging him ‘for over a mile’ then leaving him dying at the roadside, murder trial told”.