Ex-EFL turned non league player manager Kiernan Hughes-Mason has been convicted after attacking a two-year-old toddler.
Hughes-Mason was convicted of grievous bodily harm and child cruelty, after it was found he inflicted 17 separate injuries to his former partner’s young daughter in a series of attacks in 2019 and 2020.
His acts required the child to need 24-hour care as a result of the “life-changing brain injuries”.
Essex Police, and a number of clubs have now issued a statement, with Enfield Borough confirming he has been dismissed following his conviction.
In his days as a youth player, he played for Arsenal, Tottenham and Millwall, then for the senior team, turned out for Cheltenham, Tooting & Mitcham, Chelmsford, Kettering, Grimsby, Welling, Concord, Hayes & Yeading, Maidstone, Leatherhead, Walton Casuals, Hastings, Grays, Barking, Hythe, Hashtag, Tilbury, Tower Hamlets and Enfield Borough.
Kiernan Hughes-Mason
STATEMENT FROM ESSEX POLICE:
A man has been convicted of violently assaulting a two-year-old girl, leaving her with life-changing brain injuries.
Kiernan Hughes-Mason was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty after the girl was found with serious injuries at an address in Westcliff-on-Sea in January 2020.
During the case the prosecution barrister referred to one doctor’s assessment of the child’s injuries as comparable to ‘a high-speed road traffic accident’ or ‘a fall from a substantial height of several storeys’.
He will be sentenced on Tuesday 10 September at Basildon Crown Court.
On 31 January 2020 Kiernan Hughes-Mason called paramedics while responsible for his ex-partner’s two-year-old daughter.
While downstairs he claimed he heard a loud bang from her bedroom and believed when he entered the room she had fallen on a dollhouse, leaving her conscious but unresponsive.
The East of England Ambulance Service arrived within nine minutes of the call and rushed the child to Southend General Hospital.
Her injuries were so severe she was placed in an induced coma and taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital for further treatment.
Doctors identified 17 different injuries to her legs, back face and chest, believed to have occurred between October 2019 and the assault in January 2020, when she was taken to hospital.
She remained in a coma for 14 days and suffered life-changing brain injuries which means she needs 24-hour care.
Hughes-Mason, 28 at the time of the incident, of Ramuz Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea, was arrested on 14 February 2020 in connection with the incident.
He was released on bail while our officers collected more than a dozen statements and reports from eight medical practitioners and experts while building this case, as well as seizing Hughes-Mason phone and analysing the messages he sent.
In the days leading up to the incident, Hughes-Mason sent multiple messages to others stating how angry caring for his partner’s two-year-old daughter made him, saying ‘she’s actually getting on my nerves’, and ‘I’m gonna hit her’.
After almost three years’ work, the Crown Prosecution service agreed to charge Hughes-Mason with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty.
A three-week trial at Basildon Crown Court began on 5 August, and on Wednesday 21 August, after five hours of deliberation, the jury found Hughes-Mason guilty of both charges.
The prosecution barrister made a damning case of Hughes-Mason’s actions as they closed their case, saying:
“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.
“Hughes-Mason was keen from the outset to portray himself to the police as the doting stepfather who treated the children as his own, saying how much he loved them.
“Yet in his text messages written at the time, he constantly referred to them as ‘your children,’ or ‘your child’ to the child’s mother. He regularly belittled them, talked about them as if they were stupid and put them down.
“In respect of the head and brain injury that the child suffered… the experts all agree that the pattern of injuries found is consistent with the child having been vigorously shaken… with her head likely being hit against a hard surface.
“The only explanation for the pattern of injuries suffered by the child was that they were inflicted by this defendant and inflicted deliberately.”
‘He has been held accountable for what he did’
The family of the victim said after today’s hearing:
“We finally have a verdict and that man is now held accountable for what he did to our little girl.
“We have had to go through what no family should ever have to experience, and our girl is going to bear the consequences of what he has done to her for the rest of her life”.
After the conviction Detective Sergeant Ellie Nudd, of our Child Abuse Investigation Team, said:
“Hughes-Mason refused to admit what he had done and subject the family of this little girl to weeks of details of the injuries he allowed or inflicted.
“Her family have attended court and have shown nothing but dignity and strength. I cannot commend their conduct throughout this trial highly enough while they live the impact of his actions.
“I’d also like to thank all the officers across the Child abuse Investigation Team who was involved in this case, this was a challenging and complex investigation with multiple officers and detectives working tirelessly over the last four years to make sure this case was as strong as possible.
“This conviction is important. 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 doctor’s 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.”
Strong statement on an awful situation
A previous manager also claims he passed DBS checks etc
Not sure how you make the checks more stringent. But it’s awful that such a heinous act can be committed, and people aren’t aware 😔 https://t.co/4XwFqpDFX2
— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) August 21, 2024
Insane thing is this incident happened in 2020
Since then he’s played for several clubs, some of which have huge followings, in particular with a younger fanbase
Footballers are meant to be role models
They’re around younger people on matchdays. That doesn’t even take into…
— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) August 21, 2024
Apparently he was managing just last night 😳
How do you manage a game knowing what’s coming the next day? Whole thing is madness
— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) August 21, 2024
If anybody can reach out to the family affected and see if something can be done. I know things will be raw and overwhelming but I genuinely believe the Non League Community can deffo provide overwhelming support and love. One way to show how disgusted we are
— Helge Leader 👔 (@Zikky_Bonswa) August 21, 2024
He’s not only managed last night, he’s played and even scored
Surely he knows the news is coming today?
Then again, trying to work out what’s going on in the mind of someone who would do that is pointless isn’t it
4 years he’s been able to be part of football 🤢
— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) August 21, 2024
Enfield Borough wrote: “Effective immediately, Enfield Borough FC has decided to relieve Kiernan Mason-Hughes from his duties as manager.
“This decision comes in light of recent revelations regarding serious legal matters from Mr. Mason-Hughes’ past. which were not disclosed during the hiring process.
“Enfield Borough FC is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability, and we believe that this action is necessary to uphold these values. We appreciate the understanding and continued support of our fans and community during this time.
“No further statement will be made.
“Sincerely, Marvin Walker Chairman Enfield Borough Football Club ”
Hashtag United said: “This evening the club has been made aware of some deeply shocking news regarding one of our former players and reserve team manager, Kieman Hughes-Mason, who has been found guilty of crimes that are frankly sickening. Firstly, everyone associated with the club would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the victim and their family. We can’t possibly imagine what they 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 dub has an absolute zero tolerance policy on behaviour even closely relating to this. Our values are centered 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:
Childline: 0800 1111
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
@SpencerOwen tweeted: “So so so disappointed & our whole family feels sick about this. Just tells you that you never really know what’s happening in someone’s life. What chance do you have of fully protecting those under your care if the authorities even can’t tell you about stuff like this happening?”
So so so disappointed & our whole family feels sick about this. Just tells you that you never really know what’s happening in someone’s life. What chance do you have of fully protecting those under your care if the authorities even can’t tell you about stuff like this happening? https://t.co/AkNZEMIVbz
— Spencer (@SpencerOwen) August 21, 2024
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