Mansfield Town striker Lucas Akins, 36, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison after admitting to causing the death of cyclist Adrian Daniel, 33, by careless driving in Huddersfield in March 2022.
Akins was driving his seven-year-old daughter to a piano lesson when he pulled out of a junction and struck Mr. Daniel, who was riding home from work. The father-of-one suffered catastrophic head injuries and died 10 days later in hospital.
Despite the presence of a give-way sign, Akins failed to stop, with dashcam footage from Mr. Daniel’s helmet capturing the incident. The footballer later claimed he did not see the cyclist approaching.
During the sentencing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Alex Menary acknowledged Akins’ remorse and personal struggles, including a recent separation and responsibilities as a co-parent. However, he said an immediate custodial sentence was necessary.
Mr. Daniel’s widow, Savanna, delivered a powerful victim impact statement, describing her husband as a devoted partner and stepfather, and said the delay in Akins’ guilty plea only deepened their trauma.
Tim Pole, defending, offered a public apology on behalf of Akins, calling him a “decent, honest and hardworking” man who remains burdened by guilt.
In addition to the prison sentence, Akins was also disqualified from driving for 12 months. The judge said he believed Akins was unlikely to reoffend but stressed the seriousness of the offence.
Akins, a former Grenada international, joined Mansfield Town in 2022 and previously played for Tranmere Rovers, Burton Albion, and Huddersfield Town.
