Lilia Valutyte: The 'heinous' child killing and the fight for justice

In Boston, Lincolnshire, a tragic incident unfolded on 28 July 2022 when nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte was fatally stabbed outside her mother’s shop. The attacker, 26-year-old Deividas Skebas, was found guilty of her murder after a trial at Lincoln Crown Court. Prosecutors expressed their commitment to achieving justice for Lilia following the jury’s verdict.

At the time of the attack, Lilia had been playing with a hula hoop. Her mother, Lina Savicke, found her still clutching the toy moments after Skebas stabbed her in the chest. The young girl collapsed into her mother’s arms and died swiftly from the wound, with a Home Office pathologist confirming the knife had penetrated her heart, causing fatal internal bleeding. The small market town, known for its close community, was left in shock. Many residents vividly recall the somber procession of Lilia’s small white coffin, decorated with butterflies, through the streets.

Deividas Skebas admitted to causing Lilia’s death but denied murder, claiming his mental health diminished his responsibility. Despite this, the Crown Prosecution Service rejected his plea of diminished responsibility, leading to a full trial. Throughout the court proceedings, CCTV footage revealed Skebas wandering the town centre in the hour before the attack. He did not testify, leaving the family without answers as to why she was targeted. District Crown prosecutor Marc Thompson remarked on the profound impact of Lilia’s sudden death on the community and underscored the CPS’s determination to ensure Skebas faced justice.

During his police interview, Skebas made unusual claims about being controlled by a microchip and requested contact with NASA. He had a history of mental health issues, including a 2020 hospitalization under the Mental Health Act after a psychotic episode involving pepper spray. Although diagnosed with schizophrenia and showing signs of psychosis during the attack, the CPS maintained the murder charge was appropriate, emphasizing that intent to kill or cause serious harm was key to their case. Lina Savicke shared her heartbreaking recollections of that evening, describing the moment she realized her daughter had died. Lilia’s family continues to await sentencing, with the community still reeling from the loss of the

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