Girl playing with hula hoop stabbed to death

A nine-year-old girl, Lilia Valutyte, tragically died after being stabbed in the chest on July 28, 2022. She was playing with a hula hoop on Fountain Lane in Boston, Lincolnshire, outside a shop where her mother was working. The court heard that Deividas Skebas, 26, approached Lilia and fatally stabbed her before fleeing the scene. Despite immediate efforts by an off-duty police officer, doctors, and paramedics, Lilia passed away within an hour.

Skebas, who had initially been deemed unfit to stand trial in 2023, is now considered fit to participate in the proceedings. He admits to killing Lilia but denies murder, asserting his responsibility was diminished by his mental state. The prosecution contends that Skebas intentionally targeted the child. The jury at Lincoln Crown Court will now determine whether Skebas is guilty of murder or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, as the Crown does not accept his defense. The trial is ongoing.