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Ex-SPFL star jailed for killing cyclist in horror crash with his own daughter in his car…
Holly Christodoulou
5 – 6 minutes
His victim’s wife has told of the agony
Published: 16:50, 24 Apr 2025
Updated: 16:50, 24 Apr 2025
A FORMER SPFL footballer has been jailed after killing a cyclist by ploughing into him in his Mercedes while his kids were in the car.
Mansfield Town ace Lucas Akins, 36, was driving his Mercedes G350 near Huddersfield when he hit 33-year-old Adrian Daniel.
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Mansfield Town player Lucas Akins arriving at Leeds Crown Court.
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Mansfield Town player Lucas Akins (right) arriving at Leeds Crown CourtCredit: PA
Photo of Adrian Daniel.
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Cyclist Adrian Daniel died after he was hit by Mansfield Town player Lucas AkinsCredit: PA
Lucas Akins arriving at Leeds Crown Court.
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Mansfield Town player Lucas Akins arriving at Leeds Crown Court.Credit: PA
He previously spent two seasons on the books at Hamilton Accies in the late noughties, also spending part of the time on loan at Partick Thistle.
The cyclist was rushed to hospital with serious injuries but couldn’t be saved – dying ten days later on March 27, 2022.
Akins has now been jailed for a total of 14 months after admitting causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving.
Savanna Daniel, Adrian’s wife, told the court how her life was “changed forever” following the dad’s death.
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She said she was alerted to the tragedy by a computer on his bike that automatically contacted her as she was Adrian’s emergency contact.
Savanna said she went to the scene before Adrian was taken to hospital where he sadly died 11 days later.
She added: “I was told the adrenaline junkie I knew and loved wasn’t coming back. On Sunday 27th, Adrian passed.
“Since that day, it has been like hell and a nightmare I’m not waking up from.
“I know it’s happened, I’m not living in a fairytale but it was avoidable.
“I was unable to talk about Adrian without falling apart. I was angry with him for leaving us.
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“I was angry because there was no reason for Adrian to leave us that day. This was too simple a collision to take his life.”
Leeds Crown Court was told the horror unfolded on March 17, 2022, as Adrian had cycled in the village of Netherton.
Akins was taking his young daughter to a piano class along with his seven-month-old baby when he approached a junction.
Prosecutor Carmel Pearson said: “Traffic is obliged to give way at Huddersfield Road, which is what the defendant should have done.
“He intended to turn right into Huddersfield Road.
“The defendant didn’t give way at a give way sign.
“There is no stop sign or white line at that junction but there is an obligation to give way.
“The defendant on the footage, albeit was driving slowly, pulled out at the give way junction and struck Adrian Daniel.
Headshot of Lucas Akins in a Hamilton Academical F.C. jersey.
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Akins action for Hamilton during the 2007-08 seasonCredit: Kenneth Ramsay
Lucas Akins of Mansfield Town in his team’s jersey.
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Mansfield Town star Lucas Akins who has been jailed for 14 monthsCredit: PA
“It was too late for Adrian Daniel to brake and he suffered a catastrophic head injury.”
The court was told that Akins had knowledge of the road so should have known to give way at the junction.
In his police interview, the footballer said he did not see the cyclist.
Along with his jail term, Akins was also banned from driving for two years.
Sentencing, Judge Alexander Menary told the footballer: “You failed to see Mr Daniel and you drove into collision with him.
“The impact was devastating and he was thrown from his bicycle.
“It was apparent to the emergency workers that he had sustained grave injuries.”
Just hours after Akins pleaded guilty to the offence last month, he took to the pitch for Mansfield Town in a 0-0 draw vs Wigan.
Manager Nigel Clough later discussed his decision to include Akins in his team, saying: “We’ve known about it for some time, it’s not just happened but we’re not in a position to comment.”
The striker came through the youth academy at Huddersfield and made his debut for them in 2007.
In addition to his time at Hamilton and Partick, he had stints at Northwich Victoria, Tranmere Rovers and Stevenage.
Akins had eight years at Burton Albion before he joined Mansfield in January 2022.
He has made four international appearances for Caribbean nation Grenada, who he qualifies for through his mum.
Mansfield Town today said it was “considering its position” after news of Akins’ imprisonment.
A spokesman said: “Mansfield Town Football Club acknowledges today’s decision by Leeds Crown Court concerning Lucas Akins following a tragic road traffic accident in March 2022.
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“Mansfield Town Football Club 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.”
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