Warning: This article contains distressing content
A man has been found guilty of murdering a head teacher who was dragged to his death for more than a mile while trapped under the wheels of a car.
Simon Richardson crashed into 56-year-old Michael Mullins, who was cycling home from work on the evening of 20 April in the village of Warburton in Greater Manchester.
Prosecutors claimed Richardson, 35, fled the scene of the crash before stopping to try to dislodge the injured but still-living cyclist and then driving on with Mr Mullins still lodged underneath the vehicle.
Richardson was also convicted of dangerous driving and will return to Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday.
There were shouts of “Yes!” from the court’s public gallery as the murder verdict was returned.
Others could also be heard crying.
The judge, Mrs Justice Brunner, told Richardson that there was only one sentence for murder, namely life imprisonment.
She also thanked the jury and acknowledged their job “cannot have been easy”.
The court heard Richardson drove through “give way” markings at a junction in Warburton and collided with Mr Mullins, who went under his vehicle.
A motorcyclist followed a trail of blood and discovered Mr Mullins alone and barely breathing as he lay on a grass verge in a secluded country lane in Lymm, Cheshire.
Mr Mullins was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterwards by emergency services.
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