Former Welling and Millwall player Kiernan Hughes-Mason has been convicted of a violent attack on a two-year-old girl which left her with life-changing brain injuries. 

Hughes-Mason, 32, was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty after the girl was found with serious injuries at an address in Westcliff, Essex. 

The attack took place in January 2020, leaving the child with injuries comparable to "a high-speed road traffic accident" or a "fall from a substantial height of several storeys", prosecutor Jonathan Stone said. 

Hughes-Mason had called paramedics on January 31, 2020, claiming he heard a loud bang and believed the girl had fallen on a dollhouse. 

The girl's injuries were so severe she was placed in an induced coma and taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital for further treatment.  

She remained in a coma for 14 days and suffered life-changing brain injuries, which means she now needs 24-hour care. 

Hughes-Mason was convicted by a jury on Wednesday (August 21) following a three-week trial at Basildon Crown Court. 

The manager had played for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur during his youth career before playing for a variety of clubs including Millwall, Hashtag United, Leatherhead, Welling, and Grays and Barking. 

He was in the Millwall academy from 2007 to 2009 and made two first-team appearance before leaving in 2011.

He later joined Welling United in 2012 and made 54 appearance before leaving in 2014.

Hughes-Mason began his managerial career at Tower Hamlets last year before taking the reins at Enfield Borough. 

But on Wednesday chairman Marvin Walker released a statement which read: “Effective immediately, Enfield Borough FC have decided to relieve Kiernan Hughes-Mason from his duties as manager. 

“The decision comes in light of recent revelations regarding serious legal matters from Mr Hughes-Mason's 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 in this time." 

The family of the victim said after the 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."

Hughes-Mason will be sentenced in September. 

After the conviction, Detective Sergeant Ellie Nudd, of Essex Police's child abuse investigation team, said: “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 were involved in this case. This was a challenging and complex investigation with multiple officers and detectives working tirelessly over the past 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 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.”