Kiernan Hughes-Mason, aged 32, left a toddler with life-changing brain injuries

Basildon Crown Court and (inset) Kieran Hughes-Mason — Basildon Crown Court and (inset) Kiernan Hughes-Mason

The manager of Enfield Borough FC has been sacked after he was convicted of child cruelty and grievous bodily harm with intent against a toddler.

Kiernan Hughes-Mason, aged 32, beat the two-year-old girl at an address in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, in January 2020. It left her with life-changing brain injuries and in need of 24-hour care.

Hughes-Mason was convicted of the two charges against him at Basildon Crown Court after a three-week trial, during which prosecutors compared the girl’s injuries to a fall from a tall building or a high-speed car crash.

Enfield Borough FC released a statement last night (Wednesday 21st) saying that Hughes-Mason, who the club had hired as manager at the end of last season, had been sacked with immediate effect.

The statement from Marvin Walker, club chairman, said: “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.”

The victim was Hughes-Mason’s ex-partner’s daughter. He had called paramedics himself on the night of 31st January 2020, claiming he had been downstairs when the girl fell and hit her head on a doll’s house in her upstairs bedroom. At hospital, she had to be put into a coma. Doctors found 17 injuries to different parts of her body inflicted over the previous four months.

Hughes-Mason was arrested in February 2020 but was not charged until three years later with the crimes he has now been convicted of. He will be sentenced on 10th September.

Reacting to the conviction, the family of the victim said in a statement: “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.”

Detective Sergeant Ellie Nudd from Essex Police said: “Hughes-Mason refused to admit what he had done and subjected 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.

“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.”

Hughes-Mason had started his career at Millwall but spent the majority of his time playing in non-league football.

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