The judge has left courtpublished at 11:59 GMT
David McKenna
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The video link to Rampton Hospital has ended and the judge has left the courtroom.
People are starting to leave.
Summary
Deividas Skebas, who stabbed schoolgirl Lilia Valutyte to death in a random attack in Boston, Lincolnshire, has been sentenced to a minimum term of 25 years imprisonment
Lilia had been playing with a hula hoop when she was killed by "complete stranger" Skebas in July 2022
Judge Mr Justice Choudhury described Lilia as a "carefree, happy girl"
The court heard that Skebas had said he was "controlled by a chip implanted by NASA"
Skebas admitted killing the nine-year-old, but denied murder on the grounds his responsibility was diminished by his mental state
He was found guilty on 5 February following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court
He appeared in court via video-link from Rampton Hospital, which is a high security psychiatric facility in Nottinghamshire
Warning - this page contains distressing details
The judge has left courtpublished at 11:59 GMT
Skebas does not reactpublished at 11:53 GMT
David McKenna
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireSkebas showed little emotion as the judge handed down his sentence.
Mr Justice Choudhury said: “If you are at any point well enough to be discharged from hospital you will return to prison to serve your sentence and the remainder of your minimum term.”
Update 1205: This post was updated to clarify where Skebas will serve his sentence.
Skebas handed minimum term of 25 yearspublished at 11:48 GMT
BreakingEleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireMr Justice Choudhury, addressing Skebas, says: "The significant features of planning and a vulnerable victim are balanced by the mitigating features and in particular your mental disorder.
"Accordingly, the minimum term in your case is 25 years.
"For the murder of Lilia Valutyte, I sentence you to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years."
'You did the unthinkable'published at 11:40 GMT
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireWarning: This post contains distressing details
Mr Justice Choudhury says Skebas had bought an "ordinary kitchen knife" from a shop, which he later used to kill Lilia.
On the day of the murder, he says Skebas walked around and around the same area in Boston, apparently in search of a victim.
"You kept returning to the same area around Fountain Lane.
"At 18:15 you did the unthinkable.
"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 says Skebas had later said he killed Lilia as he was "controlled by a chip implanted by NASA" along with voices in his head.
Judge addresses Skebaspublished at 11:32 GMT
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireMr Justice Choudhury says: "You've been found guilty of the murder of Lilia Valutyte, I must now sentence you for that offence."
He says Lilia was "just nine years old when her life was cut short".
He says the CCTV from before the incident showed Lilia as a "carefree, happy girl" who "should have been safe" as she was playing with her hula hoop.
He adds: "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 looking straight aheadpublished at 11:31 GMT
David McKenna
Reporter, BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireSkebas is sitting quietly and looking straight ahead, not showing any obvious sign of emotion.
The barristers are also sitting quietly after presenting their arguments.
Court returnspublished at 11:28 GMT
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireEveryone has now returned to the court room and are ready for the hearing to continue.
Mr Justice Choudhury has taken his seat.
Court rises as judge considerspublished at 11:06 GMT
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireThe court has now risen for 15 minutes as Mr Justice Choudhury considers the remarks from both prosecution and defence.
Family following sentence proceedings through translationpublished at 11:06 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthLilia's mum and stepdad are following what's happening in court on headphones.
It's being translated for them into Lithuanian.
Defence speaks on behalf of Skebaspublished at 11:05 GMT
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireDefending Skebas, Campbell-Tiech tells the court Skebas was "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".
He adds that there is "no need further to stigmatise the appalling act that he [Skebas] performed in the midst of a mental health crisis".
Skebas not reactingpublished at 11:01 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthDefence barrister Campbell-Tiech has now started talking to the judge.
He is speaking on behalf of Skebas. He has Skebas on a screen in front of him. It's the same picture we can see on big screens in the court room.
Skebas is still staring straight ahead. He isn't reacting to what is happening in court.
Bravery of police at scenepublished at 10:59 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthThere are about 10 people sitting in the public gallery now. It's by no means full, but everyone is paying close attention.
Prosecution barrister Donnellan has asked the judge to commend the actions of Det Con Andy Pearson, of Lincolnshire Police, who was walking past after finishing his shift in Boston on the day of the attack.
He ran to help and tried to save Lilia's life. He was nominated for a national bravery award in 2024.
Prosecution shares remarkspublished at 10:56 GMT
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireProsecutor Christopher Donnellan KC is speaking in court and described Lilia as a "particularly vulnerable victim".
He says the jury must have "taken a view of what they thought the explanation of the defendant had given for what was in his mind at the time".
The judge says the court must decide whether Skebas's "mental disorder lessened his culpability to an extent, bearing in mind the jury's verdict one can't say his abilities were substantially impaired".
Donnellan KC says the "medical evidence is that he was suffering from schizophrenia".
Who's who?published at 10:54 GMT
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and LincolnshireMr Justice Akhlaq Choudhury is the judge passing sentence today. He is the same judge who presided over the trial earlier this month.
The Courts and Tribunals Judiciary say he was appointed a Recorder in 2009, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2016 and a High Court Judge in October 2017.
He was President of the Employment Appeal Tribunal from 2019 to 2021.
Skebas is being represented by defence barrister Andrew Campbell-Tiech.
Christopher Donnellan KC is the prosecution barrister.
Skebas on camera from hospitalpublished at 10:47 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthSkebas is wearing a blue-zipped hooded jumper.
He is sitting on a pink chair and is staring straight down the video link camera.
He has a goatee-style beard and short dark hair. He is sitting quietly listening to proceedings.
He looks relaxed but seems to be following what's happening.
The judge has arrivedpublished at 10:43 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthThe judge, Mr Justice Akhlaq Choudhury, has arrived and is wearing a red-belted cloak. The barristers are in position and proceedings are about to start.
Called into courtpublished at 10:36 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthThe announcement has just gone out calling everyone related to the case to come into court one here at Lincoln Crown Court. Skebas is not present in court. He is on a video link from Rampton Hospital, which is a high security psychiatric facility in Nottinghamshire.
Lilia's mum is in courtpublished at 10:33 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthLilia's mum and stepdad are here. They have waited for three-and-a-half years to see the man who killed their daughter be brought to justice.
Court is filling uppublished at 10:32 GMT
Jessica Lane
BBC Look NorthThe press benches inside Lincoln Crown Court are full. There is space for about eight people and at times during the trial there were just one or two of us. People are also in the public gallery.
Outside, there are several TV cameras waiting for the sentencing outcome.
Family tributes to a 'beautiful soul'published at 10:21 GMT
Image source, Lina SavickeLilia's parents described their daughter as having a "beautiful soul with a strong character".
Her mother, Lina Savicke, said the family had a statue of Lilia at their home "capturing her final minutes, playing with a hula hoop".
"Tears and pain cannot wash away everything we feel," she said.
"It is deeply painful to live through something whose consequences someone never truly thought through."
Lina said a memorial bench and a mosaic in Lilia's memory had been installed in Boston.
"Sometimes terrifying thoughts overwhelm the mind", Lina said.
"Yet, as a family, we stand strong, supporting each other through every low point and every wound.
"Simply tired of tears. Of constant overthinking. The child will not return. Why her? Why us?
"These questions remain unanswered."
Image source, Lina SavickeLilia's stepfather Aurelijus Savickas said when he dropped Lilia off outside her mother's store on the day of the killing she hugged him and said have a good day.
"That hug and kiss became our last moments together," he said.
"I have attended many funerals in my life, but nothing prepared me for losing a child.
"There are no words to describe that pain. It left scars on our hearts that will never fully heal."
He added: "Some emotions fade with time, but the memories remain, and the love never disappears."
"She was a beautiful soul with a strong character and strong personality.
"Lilia, you will always live in our hearts. You are forever loved."
