After a Leeds Crown Court hearing, Lucas Akins, a football player who has participated in several games in the English football pyramid, was given a prison sentence.
Football player Lucas Akins was sentenced to prison at Leeds Crown Court for his negligent or irresponsible driving that killed a cyclist in Huddersfield. The sentence is related to an event that occurred in March 2022 in which Adrian Daniel, a 33-year-old cyclist, was struck by Akins’ Mercedes and died 10 days later.
A hearing resulted in Akins receiving a 14-month prison sentence. His punishment includes a one-year driving prohibition and half of his time in jail before he can be freed on a licence.
“It is plain to me you are someone who is highly unlikely to trouble the courts again,” judge Alex Menary told the footballer, 36. “There is strong personal mitigation here. However, it seems to be the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.”
Akins entered a guilty plea on March 4. He has been on Mansfield Town’s roster this season and has made multiple appearances for the League One team in the weeks that have followed.
Over 600 appearances have been made by the 36-year-old in England and Scotland over his career, including two EFL Championship seasons with Burton Albion, from whom he joined Mansfield in 2021. Additionally, he has seven senior international caps for Grenada, the most recent of which came in March when he started in a loss to Russia.
Adrian Daniel, who has sadly died aged just 33 after being hit by a car in Huddersfield
“The defendant on the footage, albeit was driving slowly, pulled out at the give way junction and struck Adrian Daniel. It was too late for Adrian Daniel to brake and he suffered a catastrophic head injury.”
Akins previously played in the Championship with Burton Albion
“Adrian survived a terrible accident 11 years ago. I’m not a spiritual person, but I believe he survived that to find us, to show Evie what a dad was and me what true love was
“I can say I have learned to live life without him and live it to the full, but that doesn’t excuse Mr Akins’ actions. Three years of hell, of avoidance and adding further to my trauma, has finally come to a close today.”
Tim Pole KC, representing Akins, said the footballer will carry the Burden of causing Mr Daniel’s death “for the rest of his life”. “He understands the frustration and anger at the delay of pleading guilty,” he added.
“He’s sorry for any additional distress the delay caused. But his remorse is genuine, and his thoughts and the thoughts of his family remain with the family of Mr Daniel.
