In a harrowing case that has shocked the community, a man has been convicted of murdering a nine-year-old girl, with chilling CCTV footage revealing his approach to the victim. Deividas Skebas, now aged 26, was found guilty of the murder of Lilia Valutyte following a fortnight-long trial at Lincoln Crown Court.
Disturbing Footage Reveals Killer's Movements
The court was presented with distressing CCTV evidence released by Lincolnshire Police, which captured Skebas's actions before and after the fatal attack. The footage shows Skebas, who was 22 at the time, standing at the end of the street while Lilia played outside her mother's embroidery shop in Boston, Lincolnshire.
In the video, Skebas can be seen waiting at the top of the road for passers-by to leave before approaching Lilia around 6.15pm on 28 July 2022. The young girl was playing with a hula hoop moments before the attack. Another clip captures Skebas, dressed in a grey T-shirt and dark trousers, fleeing the scene shortly afterwards.
Additional Evidence Presented in Court
Further CCTV footage revealed that Skebas had been wandering around the area nearly an hour before the attack. Most disturbingly, he was also caught on camera purchasing the knife he used to stab Lilia at a Wilko store two days prior, on 26 July 2022.
Additional video clips, believed to be from police body-worn cameras, show armed officers surrounding Skebas at a property and arresting him on 30 July 2022. In the footage, a voice can be heard telling Skebas that "you are under arrest on suspicion of murder," to which he responded "yeah."
Complex Legal Proceedings
Following his arrest, Skebas was found to have a history of mental health problems and was initially deemed unfit to stand trial. He was detained in a secure hospital, and at a trial of fact in 2023, he was found to have been responsible for Lilia's killing.
In spring 2025, Skebas was reassessed and found fit to plead and participate in a full trial. The subsequent legal proceedings culminated in his conviction for murder on Thursday, 5 February 2026. Sentencing has been scheduled to take place at a future date.
Community Impact and Ongoing Investigation
The murder of Lilia Valutyte has had a profound impact on the Boston community, with residents expressing shock and grief over the senseless killing of a young child. Lincolnshire Police have conducted an extensive investigation, piecing together CCTV evidence and witness statements to build their case against Skebas.
The conviction brings some measure of closure to Lilia's family, though nothing can compensate for their tragic loss. The case highlights the importance of CCTV evidence in modern criminal investigations and the complex legal processes involved when dealing with defendants who have mental health issues.
