Man Found Guilty of Murdering Nine-Year-Old Girl in Lincolnshire
Deividas Skebas, a 26-year-old Lithuanian national, has been found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte in a tragic incident that occurred in Boston, Lincolnshire. The verdict was delivered by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court after seven and a half hours of deliberation, with a majority decision of 11 to one.
Details of the Fatal Attack
On 28 July 2022, Lilia Valutyte was playing with a hula hoop outside her mother's embroidery shop in Boston when she was fatally stabbed by Skebas. The attack resulted in a stab wound through the heart, leading to her death. Skebas, who was 22 at the time, had entered the United Kingdom legally just three weeks prior to the killing and was employed as a fruit picker in the area.
Mental Health and Legal Defence
During the trial, Skebas's legal defence argued that he suffered from a history of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, which impaired his ability to understand the full consequences of his actions. His barrister, Andrew Campbell-Tiech KC, contended that Skebas should be convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, a plea he had previously admitted. Campbell-Tiech described Skebas as "quite obviously deluded" and noted that clinicians treating him doubted his potential for recovery.
However, the prosecution, led by Christopher Donnellan KC, asserted that Skebas was aware of the severity of his crime, stating, "This deliberate murder was clearly a wicked act" and "He knew his conduct was wrong. He knew he was killing a child."
Family's Heartbreaking Impact Statement
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Lilia's mother, Lina Savickiene, expressed the profound grief endured by the family. She wrote, "The grief we have suffered is not something you recover from," and described how terrifying thoughts, such as "Why her? Why us?" continue to haunt them. Savickiene had discovered her daughter after the attack and cradled her body in the aftermath.
Lilia's stepfather, Aurelijus Savickas, who had known her since she was three years old, added his own words, describing Lilia as having a "beautiful soul" and affirming that she "will always live in our hearts, you are forever loved, forever missed."
Court Proceedings and Bizarre Claims
Skebas attended the trial and verdict virtually from Rampton Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility where he has been held since his transfer from prison in December 2022. The court heard disturbing details about Skebas's state of mind post-killing, including his belief that he possessed "the power to resurrect" Lilia, but only if police contacted "his controller in Nasa."
Sentencing and Aftermath
Deividas Skebas is scheduled to be sentenced on 25 February. The case has drawn significant attention due to its brutal nature and the young age of the victim, highlighting issues around mental health and violent crime in communities. The family's statements underscore the lasting impact of such tragedies, with Lilia's memory cherished by those who loved her.
