A MAN has been found guilty of violently attacking a two-year-old girl and leaving her with life-changing brain injuries comparable to "a high-speed crash or fall from several storeys".

Kiernan Hughes-Mason, who was 28 at the time of the attack, was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and child cruelty after the girl was found with serious injuries at an address in Westcliff in January 2020.

A three-week trial at Basildon Crown Court ended today, August 21, after five hours of deliberation the jury found Hughes-Mason guilty of both charges.

During the case the prosecution barrister referred to one doctor’s assessment of the child’s injuries as comparable to "a high-speed road traffic accident" or a "fall from a substantial height of several storeys".

Hughes-Mason had called paramedics on January 31, 2020, claiming he heard a loud bang and believed the girl had fallen on a dollhouse.

The girl's injuries were so severe she was placed in an induced coma and taken to Great Ormond Street Hospital for further treatment. 

She remained in a coma for 14 days and suffered life-changing brain injuries which means she needs 24-hour care.

Hughes-Mason, then from Westcliff, was arrested on February 14 2020 in connection with the incident. 

The family of the victim said after today’s hearing: “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”. 

Now-32-year-old Hughes-Mason will be sentenced on Tuesday, September 10, at Basildon Crown Court.

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 was involved in this case, this was a challenging and complex investigation with multiple officers and detectives working tirelessly over the last 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.”