Girl, 9, killed while playing in Boston, court hears

Nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte died while playing outside a shop in Boston on 28 July 2022. The defendant admits causing her death but denies murder on grounds of diminished responsibility; a jury will decide after a medical review found him fit to stand trial.

A court case is under way at Lincoln Crown Court about the death of a nine-year-old girl in Boston in July 2022. The matter is before a jury because the defendant admits causing the death but disputes a murder charge on the basis of his mental state. A medical review has found the defendant fit to take part in proceedings and the trial is continuing. What officials reported: - On 28 July 2022, nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte was playing outside a shop on Fountain Lane in Boston when she was fatally attacked. - The prosecution says the defendant, Deividas Skebas, ran toward her and used a knife; Skebas admits killing her but denies murder, claiming diminished responsibility. - An off-duty police officer and medical teams attempted to preserve Lilia’s life, but she died within an hour. - A medical review in 2024–25 found Skebas fit to stand trial; the jury must decide between a murder charge and manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Summary: The jury will determine whether the defendant is guilty of murder or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The trial is ongoing and further court proceedings will follow as part of that process.