This article about a football player who has just been jailed for 14 months for causing the death of a cyclist has been brought to my attention. The death of any cyclists opens our eyes but this was of additional interest to me as Lucas Akins used to play for the team I support, Partick Thistle, and I watched him play on many occasions.

Despite the forgiving remarks from Aidrian Daniel’s widow that she would not like to see the perpetrator go to jail as she did not wish any more suffering to come from the tragedy, I believe the sentence to be justified. Akins initially pled not guilty and this prolonged the anguish for a bereaved family. It makes you wonder why, if his remorse as declared by his lawyer, was genuine he would not admit it straight off. Acting on his lawyer’s advice maybe? Perhaps it was in the interest of his club, Mansfield Town, to have him continue playing while they waited for the date of the trial? Professional football is a money-centred sport after all!