Jury Finds Man Responsible for Tragic Stabbing of Nine-Year-Old in Boston
A jury at Lincoln Crown Court delivered a grim verdict in just 30 minutes, ruling that 23-year-old Deividas Skebas caused the death of nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte. The young girl was fatally stabbed last summer while playing outside in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Harrowing Details of the Attack
Lilia died from a single knife wound to the chest on July 28. Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC described the dreadful moment, saying: “He thrust the knife straight into her chest and through into her heart.”
The attack happened on Fountain Lane, near the shop where Lilia’s mother worked. CCTV footage showed Skebas running up to Lilia, stabbing her, then fleeing. Despite quick action from paramedics and an off-duty cop, Lilia was declared dead at 7.11pm.
Knife Found and Suspect Admits to Stabbing
Police arrested Skebas two days later at his Boston home on Thorold Street. Officers found a Sabatier paring knife hidden behind a radiator—matching the fatal wound. During interviews, Skebas admitted stabbing Lilia and identified himself on the CCTV footage.
Mental Health Issues Complicate Trial
Skebas was deemed unfit to plead due to serious mental illness, so the court held a trial of the facts instead. His lawyer, Andrew Campbell Tiech KC, told the jury he could not dispute the evidence as he had no instructions to do so.
Judge Mrs Justice McGowan DBE urged jurors to put emotions aside:
“You are not going to be asked to say guilty or not guilty because this is not a normal trial. The defendant is seriously mentally ill and can’t fully participate.”
A hospital order for Skebas is expected soon, but the family and friends are left grappling with the devastating loss. Lilia was remembered as a joyful child and a “beautiful person” whose life was shattered by senseless violence.
