EFL footballer appears in court and admits to causing death of cyclist

EFL League One footballer Lucas Akins appears in court and admits to causing the death of cyclist Adrian Daniel back in 2022.

Adrian Daniel, who was in his 30s, sadly died after being hit by a Mercedes G350 on at 3:50pm Huddersfield Road, at the junction with Crosland Factory Lane, in Netherton on Thursday the 17th of March 2022.

He was rushed to hospital with serious injuries, fighting for his life, but tragically, West Yorkshire Police (WYP) confirmed the 33-year-old, from Meltham, passed away in hospital on Sunday the 27th of March 2022. The force confirmed Adrian’s family were supported by police.

Former Huddersfield Town footballer Lucas Akins admits causing death of cyclisthttps://t.co/3FXIBcIlEe

— Sophie Corcoran (@sophcorcoran) March 4, 2025

After the incident, West Yorkshire Police sent out an appeal for witnesses, with a spokesoman for the force saying at the time: “The cyclist, a man in his thirties, was taken to hospital with injuries which were said to be life threatening.

“Anyone who witnessed the collision, or what happened prior to it is asked to contact Roads Policing on 101 or by using the LiveChat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.”

Anyone who has dashcam footage that may assist the investigation is also urged to contact the team. The log reference is 1024 of 17 March.

On the 4th of March 2025, West Yorkshire court reporter at YorkshireLive, Sophie Corcoran, reported that Lucas Akins, 36, of Heys Road, Thongsbridge, near Holmfirth, has admitted causing the death of a cyclist when he crashed into him while driving.

Akins entered a plea of guilty to the charge of causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday the 4th of March.

The report goes on to say that court heard that Akins was of previous good character, and that prosecutor Carmel Pearson said the plea was accepted by the Crown, who had relayed the information to Mr Daniel’s family.

His Honour Judge Menary said to Lucas Akins: “You have pleaded guilty to the offence at count 2. I am imposing an interim disqualification and you are now disqualified from obtaining or getting a driving licence. You must not drive on a public road.”

Judge Menary has since released Akins on bail with the case being adjourned for reports and the hearing for sentencing set for the 24th of April 2025.

AKINS’ CAREER:

Youth career
2005–2007 – Huddersfield Town

Senior career
2007–2008 – Huddersfield Town – 6 games (0 goals)
2007–2008 → Northwich Victoria (loan) – 10 games (1 goal)
2008–2010 – Hamilton Academical – 13 games (0 goals)
2009 → Partick Thistle (loan) – 9 games (1 goal)
2010–2012 – Tranmere Rovers – 87 games (7 goals)
2012–2014 – Stevenage – 85 games (15 goals)
2014–2022 – Burton Albion – 344 games (71 goals)
2022– Mansfield Town – 115 games (24 goals)

International career
2024– Grenada – 4 games (2 goals)

Honours

Burton Albion
Football League Two: 2014–15 season

Mansfield Town
EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2023–24 season

Individual
Burton Albion Player of the Year: 2017–18 season, 2018–19 season

In his 700th career game at the weekend, Lucas Akins missed a late penalty for Mansfield as they had to settle for a point in 1-1 draw with Burton.

“I can’t believe he has made that many appearances – it’s incredible,” said Mansfield boss Nigel Clough, per chad.co.uk.

“To reach 700 appearances at the age of 35 is a great testament to his fitness as much as anything, and his attitude.

“This last pre-season he was right up there at the front of everything, all of the running.

“He is a very good professional and a good athlete.”

Clough continued to say: “We have worked with him now for quite a few years.

“We inherited him at Burton. Gary Rowett had bought him from Tranmere many years ago for the princely sum of £20,000 I think, which was probably a bit too much!

“He is a team player. He is someone who just goes into different positions and still does a job as has done over the years and still does.

“There are not that many people around like that who don’t sulk or say they want to play up front or play at the back.

“He just fills in wherever you need him, depending on the state of the game.”