A horrifying murder trial is underway after Deividas Skebas, 26, stabbed nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte through the heart while she played with a hula hoop on a quiet street in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Innocent Girl Stabbed Outside Busy Shop
On 28 July 2022, Lilia stood near her mother’s workplace when Skebas launched his deadly attack. The shocking assault happened right outside a busy shop in central Boston, sending the community into shock.
Skebas, diagnosed with schizophrenia, denies murder but admits manslaughter, claiming diminished responsibility. The jury must now decide his mental state at the moment of the stabbing.
Prosecutor Condemns ‘Wicked Act’ on Child
Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC slammed the attack, telling the jury: “This deliberate murder was clearly a wicked act. He knew his conduct was wrong. He knew he was killing a child.”
The court heard Skebas waited for the street to empty before pulling out a knife. He stabbed Lilia through the heart, knocking her into the shop shutters, then fled.
An off-duty police officer nearby gave chase and desperately tried to save Lilia, but she was pronounced dead within the hour.
Knife Bought Just Days Before Cold-Blooded Murder
Skebas purchased the Sabatier paring knife from a local Wilko only two days before the fatal stabbing.
After the attack, he was arrested, but his mental health deteriorated, leading to his transfer to hospital.
In court, Skebas bizarrely claimed he was under “a form of control” involving NASA and a microchip—statements experts link to his schizophrenia diagnosis.
Mental Health at Centre of Gruesome Trial
Despite ongoing mental health concerns, experts say Skebas is fit to stand trial.
The jury faces the grim decision of whether he understood his actions when he murdered little Lilia.
This tragic case has gripped Lincolnshire, spotlighting the complex link between mental illness and violent crime. The chilling trial continues.
