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Professional footballer Lucas Akins has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after causing the death of cyclist Adrian Daniel in a road collision near Huddersfield in 2022.
Akins, 36, who has played for Mansfield Town since 2022 and previously turned out for Tranmere Rovers, Burton Albion, and Huddersfield Town, struck Mr. Daniel with his Mercedes G-Wagon while emerging from a side road into Huddersfield Road in Netherton. The crash occurred on March 17, 2022, as Mr. Daniel, 33, was cycling home from work.
Mr. Daniel, described as a devoted father and husband, suffered catastrophic head injuries and died 10 days later in hospital. The incident was captured on a helmet camera worn by Mr. Daniel, which played a critical role in the investigation. Footage revealed that he was riding safely, within the speed limit, and maintaining a correct road position when Akins failed to yield at a give-way junction.
At the time of the collision, Akins was driving with his seven-year-old daughter and seven-month-old baby in the car, on their way to a piano lesson. He claimed during police interviews that he did not see the cyclist, a statement later challenged in court as footage indicated he did not come to a complete stop at the junction.
Akins pleaded guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving on the first day of his trial, more than two years after the incident. His delayed admission of guilt drew sharp criticism from the victim's widow, Savanna Daniel, who described the three-year legal ordeal as a “nightmare” and accused Akins of dragging out the case and prolonging her family's suffering.
In an emotional victim impact statement, Mrs. Daniel said: “There was no reason for Adrian to be killed that way. This could have been resolved sooner, and that delay has only added to the heartbreak.”
Sentencing Akins at Leeds Crown Court on April 24, Judge Alex Menary highlighted the momentary lapse in judgment that had irreversible consequences. “You did not carry out the necessary checks before pulling out. Had you done so, you would have seen Mr. Daniel,” he told the court. “This was a collision that could have easily been avoided.”
The judge also acknowledged Akins' remorse but said that the delay in admitting guilt undermined any early mitigation. Alongside the prison sentence, Akins was handed a 12-month driving ban.
Mansfield Town Football Club, which Akins represented as recently as March, has acknowledged the sentencing and expressed condolences to the Daniel family. “The club is considering its position with regard to Lucas and will be making no further comment at this time,” a spokesperson said.
The case brings a painful chapter to a close for the Daniel family, though the sense of loss remains. In her closing statement, Mrs. Daniel said: “Nothing will bring Adrian back, but at least now this part of the journey is over.”
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @mansfieldtownfc, Pexels / Cristiana Raluca
