Witness denies lying to cover cousin after cyclist dragged to death under car

A passenger has denied covering for her cousin after he dragged a cyclist trapped under his car for more than a mile, a jury has heard.

Simon Richardson, 35, is on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Court accused of the murder of headteacher Michael Mullins, 56, who was knocked off his bike as he travelled home from Stretford Grammar School in Manchester.

The mechanic is said to have driven at speed through give way markers at a junction in Warburton, Altrincham, and then struck Mr Mullins who fell under his Volvo XC90 on the early evening of 20 April.

Mr Mullins was discovered 2.2 kilometres from the collision in Paddock Lane, barely breathing on a grass verge in a quiet country lane in Lymm, Cheshire.

On Thursday, jurors at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court were told it was Richardson’s case that he only realised Mr Mullins was underneath after he reversed his vehicle to return to the main road and his front seat passenger said there was “something” nearby.

Gabrielle Debotte previously told the court that her cousin knew Mr Mullins was under the car shortly after the collision after they both heard “moaning” from outside.

She said he later turned into Wet Gate Lane in Lymm and twice got out of the vehicle to attempt to physically remove Mr Mullins before he drove “erratically”, and she saw the cyclist for the first time on the ground.

Jaime Hamilton KC, cross-examining, said: “Mr Richardson says he didn’t get out of the vehicle at any point when you stopped there, do you agree with that?”

Ms Debotte said: “No.”

Mr Hamilton said: “And he didn’t take hold of the cyclist, do you agree with that?”

“No,” repeated Ms Debotte.

She told Mr Hamilton she could not remember saying she had seen “something” on the road or the grass verge in Wet Gate Lane.

Mr Hamilton said: “You are changing your account to try to make sure you are not in trouble, that’s your purpose isn’t it?”

Ms Debotte said: “No.”

Mr Hamilton went on: “And in doing so you are trying to make it progressively worse for Mr Richardson?”

Ms Debotte said: “No, I’m just telling the truth.”

The witness, giving evidence from behind a screen, confirmed to prosecutor Phil Barnes KC that she and her cousin had been on “very friendly terms”.

Mr Barnes said: “Do you have any reason to come here and lie about Simon Richardson?”

Ms Debotte said: “Absolutely not.”

Mr Barnes said: “What is being suggested to you is that Simon Richardson didn’t know anything about Mr Mullins being under his car until the moment he was released from that grass verge, do you agree with that?

Ms Debotte said: “No, I disagree with that.”

Mr Barnes said: “From your observations, is that remotely possible?”

“No,” said Ms Debotte.

The prosecution say Richardson drove over Mr Mullins at least once in the country lane before he was finally dislodged.

Mr Mullins, from Northwich, Cheshire, was pronounced dead at the scene at 6.50pm, some 40 minutes after the collision.

Richardson, of no fixed address, denies murder and an alternative count of manslaughter.

He has also pleaded not guilty to an allegation of dangerous driving on 21 April in a police pursuit before he was arrested.