Christopher Donnellan KC, leading Sarah Knight prosecuted this tragic and high-profile case.
Lilia Valutyte, just nine years old, was tragically 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, evidence for the defence was presented by a psychiatrist, who confirmed is was the joint view of three psychiatrists, that the defence was available as Skebas suffered from schizophrenia and exhibited some symptoms of psychosis on the day of the killing. Despite this, the prosecution rejected claims of diminished responsibility, presenting the evidence to show the planning and control by the defendant before, during and after the killing. Skebas had purchased a knife 2 days earlier. He took it out with him on the day of the killing and repeatedly circled the town centre and spent time watching the little girl before he went up to her and stabbed her.
Christopher Donnellan KC told the court it was a “wicked act”, adding Skebas knew he was “killing a child”.
The jury found Skebas guilty of Lilia’s murder by an 11 to one majority verdict after deliberating for more than seven hours.
Coverage of the case can be viewed here.
He will be sentenced later this month.
Further information
For more information from the crime team, contact clerks@36crime.co.uk
