“Wicked Act” of Evil: Man Convicted of Murdering 9-Year-Old Lilia Valutyte as She Played in Street

At Brainx, we believe…

This verdict is a crucial affirmation that mental health struggles, while serious, cannot always absolve individuals of calculated cruelty. At Brainx, we believe the jury’s rejection of the “diminished responsibility” defense sends a powerful message: when an act is this deliberate, planned, and “wicked,” justice must be absolute. The conviction of Deividas Skebas offers a semblance of closure to a grieving family, reinforcing that the legal system can still distinguish between psychosis and cold-blooded intent.

The News: Justice for Lilia

In a heartbreaking case that shocked the nation, Deividas Skebas, 26, has been found guilty of murdering nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte. The verdict was delivered by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court, rejecting the defense’s claim that Skebas’s responsibility was diminished due to schizophrenia.

The Tragic Incident

• The Date: On July 28, 2022, young Lilia was happily playing with a hula hoop outside her mother’s embroidery shop on Fountain Lane in Boston, Lincolnshire.
• The Attack: At approximately 18:20 BST, Skebas approached the child. CCTV footage showed his pace “quickening” before he pulled a knife from behind his back and stabbed Lilia once in the chest.
• The Aftermath: Lilia’s mother, Lina Savicke, heard her daughter scream and rushed outside. She found Lilia still clutching her hula hoop before the child collapsed into her arms. Despite the frantic efforts of an off-duty police officer and paramedics, Lilia died within an hour.

The Trial and Verdict

• The Defense: Skebas admitted to the killing but denied murder, pleading guilty only to manslaughter. His defense team argued he suffered from schizophrenia and was experiencing psychosis, claiming voices and a “microchip” controlled his actions.
• The Prosecution: Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC successfully argued that the killing was “deliberate and planned.” Key evidence showed Skebas had purchased the paring knife from a local shop two days prior and had hidden it behind a radiator, indicating premeditation.
• The Verdict: After deliberating, the jury sided with the prosecution, convicting Skebas of murder. They determined that despite his mental health condition, he retained the capacity to understand the nature of his “wicked act.”
• Sentencing: Skebas, who appeared emotionless via video link from Rampton Hospital, has been remanded in custody. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 25, 2026.

Why It Matters

This conviction matters because it draws a firm line in the legal sand regarding mental health defenses. For the common man, it provides reassurance that the justice system will deeply scrutinize claims of “diminished responsibility” rather than accepting them at face value. It ensures that the safety of the public—and particularly the most vulnerable, our children—remains paramount. Lilia’s memory is now honored not just by grief, but by a verdict that names her killer for what he truly is: a murderer.