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 - our live coverage is now closed but you can read the full story here
Lilia had been playing with a hula hoop when she was killed by "complete stranger" Skebas in July 2022
Lilia's parents have said that "the pain will not disappear" after today's sentencing
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 hearing at Lincoln Crown Court has ended with Deividas Skebas sentenced to 25 years for the murder of Lilia Valutyte.
It is a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years, which Skebas will serve in prison if he becomes well enough to be discharged from Rampton Hospital.
Thank you for following our live updates from court. A summary of today's sentencing hearing is here
Image source, Lina SavickeLilia's mum, Lina Savicke, and stepfather, Aurelijus, released a statement via Lincolnshire Police:
“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.”
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Both prosecution and defence barristers put across their points before sentencing was passed by Mr Justice Choudhury.
For the prosecution, Christopher Donnellan KC said:
The representative for Deividas Skebas, Andrew Campbell-Tiech, said:
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
After hearing comments from prosecution and defence, Mr Justice Choudhury took 15 minutes to consider their remarks.
One of the main considerations of the sentence was whether Skebas's mental disorder had "lessened his culpability to an extent".
Addressing Skebas, he said he had "done the unthinkable", deeming it a "shocking and horrific act of violence".
Passing sentence, he weighed up both the planning involved and targeting of a "vulnerable victim", along with Skebas's mental disorder.
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.
David McKenna
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Skebas 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.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Mr 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."
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Warning: 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.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Mr 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."
David McKenna
Reporter, BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Skebas is sitting quietly and looking straight ahead, not showing any obvious sign of emotion.
The barristers are also sitting quietly after presenting their arguments.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Everyone has now returned to the court room and are ready for the hearing to continue.
Mr Justice Choudhury has taken his seat.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
The court has now risen for 15 minutes as Mr Justice Choudhury considers the remarks from both prosecution and defence.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
Lilia's mum and stepdad are following what's happening in court on headphones.
It's being translated for them into Lithuanian.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Defending 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".
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
Defence 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.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
There 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.
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Prosecutor 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".
Eleanor Maslin
BBC East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire
Mr 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.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
Skebas 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.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
The 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.
