Kiernan Hughes-Mason, a former professional footballer, has been convicted of violently assaulting a two-year-old girl, leaving her with life-changing brain injuries. Hughes-Mason, 32, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty after the child was discovered with severe injuries at an address in Westcliff-on-Sea in January 2020.
Hughes-Mason, who had been managing Enfield Borough Football Club, was dismissed from his role following the conviction. Det Sgt Ellie Nudd from Essex Police stated, "This little girl will never recover from the injuries she sustained from this violent attack."
Prior to the incident, Hughes-Mason had sent alarming messages to friends expressing frustration and anger about caring for the girl, including comments like "she’s actually getting on my nerves" and "I’m gonna hit her." On the day of the attack, he called paramedics after claiming the girl had fallen on a doll's house and was found unconscious.
The East of England Ambulance Service transported the child to Southend General Hospital, where she was placed in an induced coma due to the severity of her injuries. Doctors identified 17 different injuries on her body, which were consistent with vigorous shaking and head trauma. The girl, who remained in a coma for two weeks, now requires 24-hour care.
Enfield Borough FC, where Hughes-Mason was employed, issued a statement confirming his dismissal and reaffirming their commitment to maintaining high standards of integrity. Hashtag United, a former club of Hughes-Mason, expressed their shock and condemned the crimes, stating they were unaware of the events until the conviction.
Det Sgt Nudd emphasized the severity of the injuries, comparing them to those from a high-speed crash, and criticized Hughes-Mason for not admitting his actions. Hughes-Mason is scheduled to be sentenced on September 10 at Basildon Crown Court.
Update: Social Media Reactions to Kiernan Hughes-Mason Case
Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball)
Mirror Football provides coverage of the shocking verdict against Kiernan Hughes-Mason, highlighting the severe impact of his actions on the young victim and the community’s response.
Oor Roy (@OorRoy)
Oor Roy’s tweet reflects the widespread outrage and demand for justice following Hughes-Mason’s conviction. The public reaction underscores the severity of the crime and the need for accountability.
Hashtag UTD (@hashtagutd)
Hashtag UTD expresses deep shock at the conviction, emphasizing that the club had no prior knowledge of the assault. The statement addresses the flaws in procedures and background checks revealed by the case.
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