Man guilty of murdering girl, 9, playing in street

A man has been found guilty of murdering a nine-year-old girl as she played in the street.

Deividas Skebas stabbed Lilia Valutyte outside the shop where her mother worked in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 28 July 2022.

The 26-year-old 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 a trial.

Skebas, formerly of Thorold Street, Boston, was remanded in custody. He will be sentenced on 25 February.

The court heard that, despite the efforts of an off-duty police officer, doctors and paramedics, Lilia died within an hour of being stabbed in the chest.

The jury also heard Skebas was arrested at his home two days after the attack, and the paring knife he had recently bought from a local shop was found behind a radiator.

During the trial, the jury was told Skebas was assessed by three psychiatrists who wrote a joint report for his trial.

All three doctors agreed Skebas had schizophrenia and was showing symptoms of psychosis on the day he killed Lilia.

But the prosecution rejected Skebas's claim of diminished responsibility and alleged the killing was "deliberate and planned".

Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC told the court it was a "wicked act", adding Skebas knew he was "killing a child".

Skebas appeared on a video link from Rampton Hospital to hear the verdict.

He stared straight ahead and did not appear to show any expression.