Boston man accused of stabbing girl, 9, to death denies murder
A man has denied murdering a nine-year-old girl in a Lincolnshire market town three years ago but indicated a guilty plea to her unlawful killing. Lilia Valutyte was playing with a hula hoop outside the shop where her mother was working in Fountain Lane, Boston, when she suffered a single stab wound to the chest during the evening of July 28, 2022. Despite the efforts of paramedics and a police officer who arrived at the scene within a minute on his way home from work, Lilia was confirmed as dead just after 7pm. Deividas Skebas, now 26, and formerly of Thorold Street, Boston, was arrested two days later and charged with murder. Skebas appeared at Lincoln Crown Court via a video link on Friday (October 3) and entered a not guilty plea to the murder of Lilia Valutyte on July 28, 2022. Wearing a blue sweatshirt, Skebas replied: “I plead not guilty to murder.” John McNally, defending Skebas, indicated a guilty plea on his behalf to the manslaughter of Lilia Valutyte by diminished responsibility. Christopher Donnellan KC, representing the prosecution, asked for time to consider the guilty plea indicated by Skebas and to consult Lilia’s family, who were not present in court. The case was adjourned for a further hearing at Lincoln Crown Court on December 5. Judge Simon Hirst told Skebas he would face a trial at Lincoln Crown Court beginning on January 27 if the prosecution still wished to proceed with the murder charge. Skebas was remanded back into secure custody until his next court appearance. Following Lilia’s death dozens of flowers and other tributes were left at the corner of Fountain Lane and Fountain Place in memory of the schoolgirl. A service of reflection and prayer was also held at St Botolph’s Church.
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