Man who killed Cumbrian head teacher Michael Mullins gets life Driver who murdered former Workington teacher Michael Mullins jailed for life

Simon Richardson will serve at least 24 years and 173 days for murdering Michael Mullins, the head teacher who grew up round here and started teaching in Workington. He's banned from driving for life too.

This is for everyone round here who knew Michael Mullins, or has followed what happened to the head teacher who grew up in West Cumbria and started out teaching in Workington.

Simon Richardson, 35, from Sale, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday 2 November. A jury found him guilty of murder last week.

Mr Mullins, 56, was head teacher at Stretford Grammar School. On 20 April he was cycling home from work when Richardson's Volvo hit him at a junction on Paddock Lane. The court heard he got trapped under the car and was dragged 2.2km. He died from his injuries.

Mrs Justice Brunner gave Richardson life. The minimum term is 25 years, minus the 192 days he's already been inside, so 24 years and 173 days before the Parole Board can even look at letting him out. She made clear there's no guarantee he'll be released then.

She also banned him from driving for life. She said it was an exceptional case and he'd be a danger on the roads forever, pointing to 15 years of serious driving offences on his record.

The judge said the court had heard moving words from Mr Mullins's family and friends. She said: "Mr Mullins was described as a strong Cumbrian man who was proud of his roots."

The school's acting head, Elizabeth Baxter, told the court he took over in 2009 when the school was in special measures. She said: "His impact on the school was truly transformative."

The judge's full sentencing remarks are on the Judiciary of England and Wales website if you want to read them.

Simon Richardson, 35, of Sale, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 24 years and 173 days for murdering head teacher Michael Mullins, who grew up in West Cumbria. He was also banned from driving for life.

This is for everyone in West Cumbria who knew Michael Mullins, or followed the case of the head teacher who grew up here and began his teaching career in Workington.

Simon Richardson, 35, of Sale, was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday 2 November. He had been found guilty of murder by a jury last week.

Mr Mullins, 56, head teacher of Stretford Grammar School, was cycling home from work on 20 April when he was hit by a Volvo driven by Richardson at a junction on Paddock Lane. The court heard he became trapped under the car and was dragged for 2.2km. He died from his injuries.

Mrs Justice Brunner sentenced Richardson to life imprisonment. The minimum term is 25 years, less the 192 days he has already spent in custody, which leaves 24 years and 173 days before he can be considered for release by the Parole Board. She said there is no guarantee he will be released then.

The judge also banned him from driving for life, saying she considered it an exceptional case and that he would be a danger to other road users indefinitely. She noted his record of serious driving offences over 15 years.

In her sentencing remarks, the judge said the court had heard moving testimonies from Mr Mullins's family and friends. She said: "Mr Mullins was described as a strong Cumbrian man who was proud of his roots."

Stretford Grammar School's acting head teacher, Elizabeth Baxter, told the court Mr Mullins was appointed head teacher in 2009, when the school was in special measures. She said: "His impact on the school was truly transformative."

The full sentencing remarks are published on the Judiciary of England and Wales website.