Dashcam footage showing a driver overtaking other vehicles moments before striking a cyclist has been presented to a court hearing the murder trial of a former headteacher’s alleged killer.
Michael Mullins, 56, was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School in Manchester on April 20 when he was hit by a black Volvo XC90. Prosecutors allege that the driver, Simon Richardson, 35, continued travelling for more than a mile with Michael trapped beneath the vehicle.
The court heard that Richardson allegedly drove at speed through give-way markings at a junction in Warburton, Altrincham, before colliding with the father.
Prosecutors claim Richardson knew Michael was underneath his car but “put his foot down” and continued driving.
Dashcam Footage Shows Alleged Overtaking Manoeuvre
Footage played to jurors showed the Volvo moving into oncoming traffic to overtake other motorists shortly before the collision.
The Crown Prosecution Service also presented an image said to have been taken moments after the crash, showing Richardson in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The photograph appeared to show damage to the front-right area of the bonnet, while the driver’s window appeared to be fully open, the court heard.
Another image of the Volvo was also shown during the proceedings.
Doctor Examines Whether Michael Survived the Initial Impact
Dr Terrence McGloughlin, a consultant in emergency medicine, gave evidence about Michael’s condition following the collision.
Asked whether Michael would have survived the initial impact, Dr McGloughlin said: “My understanding from the evidence is that he survived the initial impact.”
However, he said he could not establish whether Michael remained conscious while being dragged along the road.
“On the evidence provided I am unable to say whether he was conscious or not,” he told the court.
Evidence from an Apple Watch worn by Michael was also discussed. Dr McGloughlin said the device continued recording his heartbeat after he was released from the vehicle.
He explained: “It supports that he was still physiologically alive.”
Witness Describes Following a Trail of Blood
Michael was eventually discovered on a grass verge in Lymm, Cheshire, approximately 2.2 kilometres from the collision site.
Andrew Besant-Roberts told Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court that he noticed an unusual trail on the road while travelling through the area.
“I very quickly noticed a strange trail on the road,” he said.
“I didn’t know what it was initially, but I thought it was suspicious.
“As I followed the trail, it suddenly occurred to me that it was blood.
“As it went over a white line I could see it was red.”
The trail led towards Mill Lane, a single-carriageway road in Lymm, before continuing along Wet Gate Lane, a quiet country road.
Mr Besant-Roberts said the trail began to move from one side of the road to the other for a couple of hundred yards before he spotted Michael lying on the grass verge.
“I saw a cyclist on a grass verge who appeared to be in a position similar to the recovery position,” he told the court.
“He was laid on his side unconscious but I could see he was still breathing.”
Bystander Tried to Save the Headteacher
Mr Besant-Roberts called 999 after finding Michael, but said his condition quickly worsened.
“His breathing became worse and worse. It was irregular with long pauses and then it just stopped,” he said.
A call handler instructed the witness to begin chest compressions, which he carried out until a paramedic arrived shortly afterwards.
Michael was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.50pm, around 40 minutes after the collision.
Prosecutors Outline Their Case
The prosecution alleges that Richardson “veered sharply and deliberately from side to side” before his vehicle mounted the verge. Prosecutors further claim that he drove over Michael at least once before the cyclist was finally dislodged from the vehicle.
Richardson denies murder and the alternative charge of manslaughter.
He has also pleaded not guilty to an allegation of dangerous driving on April 21, when he was allegedly involved in a police pursuit before his arrest.
The trial is continuing.