A former footballer has been jailed for a violent attack on a two-year-old girl which left her with life-changing brain injuries.   

Kiernan Hughes-Mason, 32, injured the child so badly that the victim's mother was told she would either die in the night or be severely disabled for life.   

On Tuesday (September 10) he was jailed for 14 years after he was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty. 

On New Year’s Eve 2020, Hughes-Mason phoned for an ambulance claiming he found the girl conscious but unresponsive. 

The girl was placed in an induced coma as doctors identified 17 different injuries. She remained in the coma for 14 days. 

The girl, who is now seven, still has a “personality that shines through” and “creates joy” but now has no independence, being only able to say three or four words at a time, and requiring “expensive accommodations” due to her physical and mental disabilities. 

Her mum said: "We will continue our best to ensure that she can live each day to the full as best she can. We love her more than anything else in this world. 

“We are thankful that today some form of justice has been achieved, however this sentence does not compare to the life sentence our little girl now has. 

“We mourn all the experiences we would have shared with her, that were taken from her by a violent coward, and we celebrate every day we still get to share with our beautiful young girl.” 

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.” 

Hughes-Mason 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. He was dismissed from this job following his conviction. 

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Hughes-Mason launched a brutal and cowardly attack on a defenceless toddler he had been entrusted to look after.

"Tragically the two-year-old girl subjected to this violent assault will never recover from her injuries – a young life devastated before it had barely got started. 

 “It is difficult to understand what would drive a man to inflict so much harm on someone so vulnerable. It is now vital that a detailed review into this shocking case gives thorough insight into whether anything could have been done to stop Hughes-Mason, and to try and provide better protection for children in the future. 

 “Anyone with concerns about a child’s wellbeing can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk. The NSPCC practitioners provide free and confidential help and advice and can take appropriate steps to help keep children safe. If a child is in immediate danger, please call 999.”