Man jailed for murdering girl playing with hula hoop

A man has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years after being found guilty of murdering a nine-year-old girl as she played with a hula hoop.

Deividas Skebas, 26, stabbed Lilia Valutyte to death in a random attack outside the shop where her mother worked in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 28 July 2022.

He admitted killing Lilia but denied her murder, claiming his responsibility was diminished by his mental state. However, a jury at Lincoln Crown Court convicted him following an eight-day trial earlier this month.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Akhlaq Choudhury told Skebas, who showed little emotion, that it was a "shocking and horrific act of violence" and added: "You did the unthinkable."

Choudhury added: "You headed straight towards her, pulled out the knife and as soon as you approached the unsuspecting Lilia, you plunged the knife into her heart."

He said the CCTV from before the incident showed Lilia as a "carefree, happy girl" who "should have been safe".

He added: "How could anyone imagine that within seconds she would be stabbed by a complete stranger and left to die?

"Yours was a shocking and horrific act of violence.

"Nothing I can do or say today can relieve the pain of losing Lilia."

Skebas, who appeared via videolink from Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire, was told he would remain at the psychiatric facility.

However, the judge said if at any point Skebas was deemed well enough to be discharged he would be sent to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.

During the trial, the jury heard Lilia had been playing in Fountain Lane.

Skebas, formerly of Thorold Street, Boston, ran towards Lilia and stabbed her once in the chest.

Her mother, Lina Savicke, told the court Lilia called her name and after she rushed outside the girl collapsed into her arms.

Despite the efforts of an off-duty police officer, doctors and paramedics, Lilia died within an hour of being attacked.

Jurors heard Lithuania national Skebas had a history of mental health issues and told police after his arrest he was being controlled by a microchip.

Three psychiatrists who assessed Skebas agreed he had schizophrenia and was showing symptoms of psychosis on the day he killed Lilia.

Andrew Campbell-Tiech KC, representing Skebas, told the court on Wednesday that his client had been "subject to a serious and dangerous condition for many years".

He invited the court to "realise the defendant is likely to spend much of the rest of his life contained and confined".

Campbell-Tiech added there was "no need further to stigmatise the appalling act that he [Skebas] performed in the midst of a mental health crisis".

Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC argued his mental illness did not stop him planning a deliberate murder, calling it a "wicked act".

After the sentencing hearing, Lilia's family issued a statement.

It read: "This decision will not change our lives.

"Nothing will bring our child back, the pain will not disappear, and the tears shed will not wash it away.

"From the bottom of our hearts, we thank those who were not afraid to stand by us and support our family during the hardest time.

"No matter how strong we may appear, there are moments when all we need is to know that we are needed and not alone. Your presence meant more than words can express."