The 36-year-old had two years in Scotland at both Hamilton and Partick Thistle
Footballer Lucas Akins has been sentenced to 14 months in prison at Leeds Crown Court for causing the death of a cyclist in Huddersfield through careless or inconsiderate driving.
The incident, which occurred in March 2022, resulted in the death of 33-year-old Adrian Daniel, who succumbed to his injuries 10 days after being struck by Akins’ Mercedes.
Akins – who was at Hamilton Accies for two years and had a loan spell at Partick Thistle – will serve half of his sentence behind bars before being eligible for release on licence, and he also faces a one-year driving ban.
Judge Alex Menary addressed Akins, 36, during the sentencing: “It is plain to me you are someone who is highly unlikely to trouble the courts again.
“There is strong personal mitigation here. However, it seems to be the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody.”
The footballer entered a guilty plea on March 4.
This season, Akins has been playing for Mansfield Town and has featured in several matches for the League One team in the weeks following the incident.
With more than 600 appearances in his career across English and Scottish leagues, including two seasons with Burton Albion in the EFL Championship before his move to Mansfield in 2021, the 36 year old also boasts seven senior international caps for Grenada, having most recently played in a match against Russia in March.
Carmel Pearson KC, prosecuting, detailed the tragic incident, said: “Adrian Daniel was riding his bicycle and was travelling downhill on Huddersfield Road, heading towards the same junction.
“He was wearing a headcam that recorded his journey, and footage shows him in a good condition.
“Crossland Factory Lane forms at a T junction, with Huddersfield Road at a give-way junction.
“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.”
