Footballer jailed for causing cyclist's death

A professional footballer has been jailed for 14 months for causing the death of a cyclist in a crash in West Yorkshire.

Adrian Daniel, 33, died 10 days after he was struck by a Mercedes G350 being driven by Mansfield Town striker Lucas Akins, near Huddersfield in March 2022.

The League One player, 36, of Heys Road in Thongsbridge, Holmfirth, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court having previously pleaded guilty to causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Daniel's wife, Savanna, said his death had been "like hell and a nightmare I'm not waking up from", adding: "There was no reason for Adrian to be killed that way."

Mrs Daniel added: "He was a great father, son and husband and his legacy will always be to live life to the full."

Mr Daniel, from Meltham, was cycling home from work along Huddersfield Road in Netherton on 17 March when he hit Mr Akins' vehicle as the footballer pulled out in front of him from the junction with Crosland Factory Lane.

The court heard the crash was captured on Mr Daniel's helmet camera, and that he was not breaking the speed limit on his bike and had adopted an appropriate position in the middle of the lane.

Judge Alex Menary said Akins, who played in a League One match for Mansfield on Monday, did not check left and right before pulling out.

Had he paused for more time it would have allowed Mr Daniel to travel through any blind spot, the judge added.

The Grenada international, who showed no emotion as he was sentenced, was also banned from driving for 12 months.

In a statement, Mansfield Town said it "offers its sincere and deepest condolences to the family of Adrian Daniel at this difficult time".

"The club is considering its position with regards to Lucas and will be making no further comment at this stage," the club added.

The court heard the father-of-three, whose previous clubs include Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion, had been driving his daughter to a piano lesson when the crash took place.

Mrs Daniel criticised Akins for not pleading guilty at the first opportunity, but said she did not want him to go to jail.

"We do not need any more lives to be destroyed by this."

Defending, Tim Pole apologised on behalf of Akins.

"The fact he caused the death of Mr Daniel continues to dominate his thoughts and it's a burden he will carry for the rest of his life," he said.

Judge Menary acknowledged Akins' mitigation, but concluded: "It seems to be the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody."

He said he accepted Akins's remorse was genuine, but said his failure to admit his guilt at an earlier stage prolonged Mrs Daniel's "heartache and grief".

In a statement released after sentencing, Mrs Daniel criticised "the farce Akins has made of the justice system".

"This could all have been resolved sooner and that is the further insult to injury," she said.

"[It] makes a mockery of any remorse that Akins offers for his actions."

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