Hashtag United have released a statement after their former player Kiernan Hughes-Mason was convicted of grevious bodily harm and child cruelty.
The 32-year-old was found guilty on both counts after a three-week trial at Basildon Crown Court, with the conviction relating to an attack at an address in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, in January 2020.
Hughes-Mason was found to have beaten a two-year-old girl and left her with injuries that doctors described as similar to those inflicted by a 'high-speed road traffic accident' or 'fall from a substantial height of several storeys'.
He left the young child with life-changing brain injuries, and she now needs 24-hour care.
Doctors also found 17 different injuries to her legs, back, face and chest which are believed to have been inflicted between October 2019 and January 2020.
In the closing speech, the case's prosecution barrister told the court that experts agreed the girl's 'pattern of injuries found is consistent with the child having been vigorously shaken... with her head likely being hit against a hard surface'.
Hughes-Mason called emergency services on January 31 and initially claimed that the two-year-old, who is the daughter of his ex-partner, had fallen. She was subsequently placed in an induced coma for 14 days.
Investigating officers found that, in the days prior to the incident, Hughes-Mason had sent messages to others in which he expressed his anger at looking after the young girl. One message read: "I'm gonna hit her."
Hughes-Mason, who was charged last year after a near three-year investigation, was found guilty of both counts by a jury after a five-hour deliberation on August 21. He will be sentenced on September 10.
In a statement after the verdict was announced, Detective Sergeant Ellie Nudd, of Essex Police's child abuse investigation team, said: "This conviction is important.
"Hughes-Mason denied responsibility for all 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."
Essex Police said in a statement: "Hughes-Mason, 28 at the time of the incident, of Ramuz Drive, Westcliff-on-Sea, was arrested on February 14 2020 in connection with the incident.
"He was released on bail while our officers collected more than a dozen statements and reports from eight medical practitioners and experts while building this case, as well as seizing Hughes-Mason's phone and analysing the messages he sent.
"After almost three years' work, the Crown Prosecution Service agreed to charge Hughes-Mason with causing grevious bodily harm with intent and child cruelty."
During his football career, Hughes-Mason spent time in the Arsenal academy and played alongside Jack Wilshere.
He signed his first professional contract with Millwall in 2009 before becoming a non-league journeyman, representing 18 clubs between 2010 and 2020.
In 2020, he joined Hashtag United, and combined playing duties with a spell as manager of the non-league club's newly-formed reserve team.
Following his conviction, Hashtag United released a statement confirming they had no knowledge of any proceedings involving the player while he was at the club. Hughes-Mason left Hashtag, who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division, in 2022.
The statement reads: "This evening the club has been made aware of some deeply shocking news regarding one of our former players and reserve team manager, Kiernan Hughes-Mason, who has been found guilty of crimes that are frankly sickening.
"Firstly, everyone associated with the club would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the victim and her family. We can't possibly imagine what they have been going through since these horrific events took place.
"We can categorically say that the club had no knowledge whatsoever of these events until today. We are told that the crimes he has now been found guilty of occurred before he joined us.
"Some serious flaws have been exposed in procedures as we'd received confirmation from the relevant authorities that he was clear to coach as part of standard background checks.
"Our club has an absolute zero tolerance policy on behaviour even closely relating to this. Our values are centred around positivity, inclusivity and above all else, creating a safe place for all."
Hughes-Mason was managing Eastern Counties League Division One South side Enfield Town until his conviction.
Following the guilty verdict, the club announced that they had sacked the 32-year-old with immediate effect.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article or would like some support or advice, there are a number of helplines available to support you. Childline offer a free-to-call helpline on 0800 1111, while you can also start a 1-2-1 with a counsellor via their official website.
The National Domestic Abuse Helpline, meanwhile, can be called on 0808 2000 247.
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Ryan Smart