Christopher Donnellan KC, leading Sarah Knight, prosecuted this tragic and high-profile case.
Lilia Valutyte, just nine years old, was brutally attacked and killed while playing outside a shop where her mother was working in Lincolnshire, on 28th July 2022. Deividas Skebas, now aged 26, admitted to killing Lilia but denied murder, claiming his responsibility was diminished due to his mental state.
During the trial at Lincoln Crown Court, the defence presented psychiatric evidence supporting diminished responsibility, stating Skebas suffered from schizophrenia and exhibited symptoms of psychosis on the day of the attack. The prosecution rejected this claim, highlighting evidence of premeditation and control by Skebas.
The jury found Skebas guilty of Lilia’s murder by an 11 to one majority verdict after deliberating for more than seven hours. Yesterday, (Wednesday 25th February), Skebas was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years, which Skebas will serve in prison if he becomes well enough to be discharged from Hospital.
Coverage of the case can be viewed here.
Further information
For more information from the crime team, contact clerks@36crime.co.uk
