A former Kent footballer has been branded a “violent coward” after assaulting a two-year-old girl, leaving her with life-changing injuries.

Kiernan Hughes-Mason was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty after the youngster was found with serious injuries in January 2020.

The 32-year-old denied the charges but was found unanimously guilty on August 20 following a trial at Basildon Crown Court, in Essex.

Today, (September 10) Hughes-Mason, who has previously played for Maidstone United, Welling and Hythe Town, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Speaking afterwards, the victim’s mother and her family said: “On January 31, 2020, our whole world was blown apart. Our daughter, our niece, and our granddaughter has been left with significant physical and mental disabilities that will impact her for the rest of her life.

“She cannot sit, stand or walk independently, requiring a hoist to move her. As a result of her injuries, she suffers from constant pain that needs to be managed daily.

“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 from sleep disorders, struggles to eat and cannot drink – she is tube-fed for all her hydration and nutritional needs.

“Despite all this, we still see her personality shine through every day. In the midst of the pain she constantly faces, she brightens the darkest days.

"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.”

On January 31, 2020, Hughes-Mason called paramedics after he claimed he found the young girl conscious but unresponsive in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex.

The East of England Ambulance Service arrived within nine minutes and rushed the child to Southend General Hospital.

“This sentence does not compare to the life sentence our little girl now has…”

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 and she remained in a coma for 14 days.

Hughes-Mason was arrested and later charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty in November 2022.

Detective Sergeant Ellie Nudd, of Essex Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, 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.

“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.

“The girl’s family have shown incredible strength to listen to this trial unfold, and their testimonies on Hughes-Mason have all contributed to this sentencing.

“Our Child Abuse Investigation Team have worked tirelessly to gather the required evidence to secure these charges.

“Our colleagues in the East of England Ambulance Service quickly saw the extent of the girl’s injuries when called to the address that night and have supported our investigation diligently.

“We would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their work throughout this case and everyone who gave evidence and who had a part to play in making sure he faced justice.”