Former Hastings United footballer jailed for violent assault on two-year-old girl
Kiernan Hughes-Mason has been branded a 'violent coward'.
A former Hastings United footballer has been branded a 'violent coward' after being jailed for 14 years for attacking a two-year-old girl in Essex.
Kiernan Hughes-Mason was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty following the attack in Westcliff-on-Sea in January 2020.
The 32-year-old denied the charges but was found unanimously guilty on August 20th following a trial at Basildon Crown Court.
Hughes-Mason was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison on Tuesday (September 10th).
The victim's mother has said, "on the 31 January 2020 our whole world was blown apart."
The family has said the girl's been left with significant physical and mental disabilities.
“She cannot sit, stand or walk independently, requiring a hoist to move her," says her mother.
“The brain damage caused has affected her communication, she cannot even tell us where her pain is or what upsets her.
“She is now epileptic, suffers with sleep disorders, struggles to eat and cannot drink – she is tube-fed for all her hydration and nutritional needs."
They added, her personality "shines through despite this."
Detective Sergeant Ellie Nudd of Essex Police said,
"Hughes-Mason lied to 999 call handlers, paramedics, police officers and hospital staff on the day of the incident. immediately trying to cover up his attack.
"He can only be described as a coward."
She added,
“Most of all our thoughts are with an immensely brave girl and her family who have worked with us to make sure justice was done.
"Our county is a safer place now that Hughes-Mason is behind bars."