Driver who dragged head teacher to his death jailed

A motorist who dragged a head teacher to his death for more than a mile under the wheels of his car has been jailed for life for murder.

Simon Richardson crashed into Michael Mullins - who was cycling home from Stretford Grammar School in Trafford, Greater Manchester - on 20 April.

Jurors at Richardson's trial heard he then stopped to try to dislodge the injured but still-living cyclist before driving on with him still lodged underneath the vehicle.

The judge at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court told Richardson, 35, that he would have to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison.

Richardson has also been banned from driving for life.

The judge, Mrs Justice Brenner KC, told the court: "This is needed to protect the public."

The court heard Richardson had an "appalling driving record" including previous convictions for drink driving and careless driving.

Brenner said: "You heard him moaning for many minutes and I am sure you knew you were dragging a man who you believed was conscious for four-and-a-half minutes.

"You drove at speed, performed manoeuvres that would cause injury and even though you knew the state he was in, you carried on."