Man Sentenced to Life for Murder of Nine-Year-Old Girl in Boston
A man has been handed a life sentence with a minimum term of 25 years for the brutal murder of a nine-year-old girl while she played in a street in Boston, Lincolnshire. Deividas Skebas, aged 26, stabbed Lilia Valutyte in the heart during the attack on July 28, 2022, as she was playing with a hula hoop outside her mother's embroidery shop in the town centre.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The trial at Lincoln Crown Court heard that there was no dispute over Skebas killing Lilia, but the jury was tasked with determining his state of mind at the time. Skebas, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, claiming he was being controlled by Nasa. However, the jury convicted him of murder on February 5, rejecting his defence.
Sentencing and Court Proceedings
On Wednesday, Skebas appeared via video-link from Rampton Hospital, a high-security facility in Nottinghamshire, wearing a navy blue zip-up jumper. He showed no reaction as Mr Justice Choudhury read out the life sentence, which mandates a minimum of 25 years behind bars before any possibility of parole. The Lithuanian national, formerly residing on Thorold Street in Boston, was found guilty after a thorough legal process that highlighted the severity of the crime.
This case has sent shockwaves through the local community, underscoring the tragic loss of a young life and the legal consequences for such heinous acts. The court's decision emphasises the importance of justice in protecting vulnerable members of society and holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of mental health claims.
