Kiernan Hughes-Mason, who played in England and New Zealand during his football career, will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on September 10 following his conviction
Image: Aldershot News and Mail)
Kiernan Hughes-Mason, a footballer who played for a number of EFL and Non-League clubs, has been convicted following an assault which left a two-year-old child with ‘iife-changing’ brain injuries and requiring round-the-clock care.
The 32-year-old, who began his career with Milwall and was most recently player-manager at Enfield Borough, was convicted of grievous bodily harm and child cruelty. The conviction relates to an attack at an address in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex, in January 2020.
Hughes-Mason, who was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty, had been looking after the child in January 2020 when he called paramedics to attend to the toddler. She was put into an induced coma, where she remained for 14 days, and the Hughes-Mason was arrested on February 14.
The footballer, who also spent two years with Hashtag United, will be sentenced on September 10. His former club issued a statement on Thursday, while previous club Enfield Borough referenced “serious legal matters” when announcing his dismissal earlier the same day.
A statement from Essex Police states that Hughes-Mason’s phone was seized by officers in relation to the case. It claims he “sent multiple messages to others stating how angry caring for [a] two-year-old daughter made him”.
In closing statements, the prosecuting barrister said: “The experts are all unanimously of the view that the child’s devastating head and brain injuries could not have been caused accidentally while she was alone in her room.”
The two-year-old was found to have suffered 17 different injuries to her legs, back face and chest, with authorities believing these occurred between October 2019 and the assault in January 2020
“This conviction is important,” Detective Sergeant Ellie Nudd of Essez Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team said. “Hughes-Mason denied responsibility for all of the child’s injuries, pointing the finger at others or blaming them on accidents. This little girl will never recover from the injuries she sustained from this violent attack.
“The doctors were clear about the extent of the injuries – they were equivalent to a high-speed crash, and would have to be the result of a violent assault. We now await his sentencing.”
(
Image:
TASMAN UNITED (NEW ZEALAND))
Hashtag United wrote in a statement: “This evening the club has been made aware of some deeply shocking news regarding one of our former players and reserve team manager, Kiernan Hughes-Mason, who has been found guilty of crimes that are frankly sickening.
“First, everyone associated with the club would like to offer our deepest sympathy for the victim and their family. We can’t possibly imagine what they must have been going through since these horrific events took place.
“We can categorically say that the club had no knowledge whatsoever of these events until today. We are told that the crimes he has now been found guilty of occurred before he joined us. Some serious flaws have been exposed in procedures as we’d received confirmation from the relevant authorities that he was clear to coach as part of standard background checks.
“Our club has an absolute zero tolerance policy on behaviour even closely relating to this. Our values are centred around positivity, inclusivity and above all else, creating a safe place for all.
“We reiterate our heartfelt sympathy for what the victim and their family have had to go through and would like to remind anyone reading this of some resources that are available should you need them.”
The club then included phone numbers for Childline (0800 1111) and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247).
