Deividas Skebas Sentenced to Life for the Murder of Lilia Valutyte
Court rejects diminished responsibility plea as killer receives life term for the fatal stabbing of a nine-year-old in Lincolnshire

Image: Matt Weston / AI

Carla Rooney
Deividas Skebas has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte, ending a legal process that gripped the community of Boston, Lincolnshire.
Deividas Skebas drove a blade once into the heart of Lilia Valutyte while she played in a Boston street. This single, precise strike killed the nine-year-old instantly.
Medical evidence confirmed the lethal accuracy of the wound. The violence of the act terminated the quiet of the Lincolnshire community.
An unspeakable, deliberate act of violence.
Skebas admitted to manslaughter following a clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia. He told police officers a microchip implanted by NASA controlled his physical movements.
During the investigation, Skebas claimed he possessed the supernatural power to resurrect the young girl. He insisted this miracle required the police to contact his supposed controllers at the space agency.
Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC asserted that Skebas understood the mechanics of the killing at the moment of the strike. Donnellan characterized the murder as a wicked act and stated the defendant knew his conduct was wrong.
District Crown Prosecutor Marc Thompson described the killing as an unspeakable, deliberate act of violence. He rejected the claim that mental abnormality absolved the defendant of his criminal intent.
The Crown Prosecution Service East Midlands emphasized the intentional nature of the force used against the victim. They argued the actions of Skebas remained calculated despite his persistent claims of external influence.
The court heard testimony regarding the defendant's belief that external controllers dictated his incident. His defense team argued these specific NASA delusions significantly impaired his judgment.
This sentencing marks a definitive moment for the residents of Boston who have lived with the memory of the attack for over a year. The life sentence ensures Skebas remains incarcerated for the killing.
Legal experts noted the life term reflects the gravity of crimes committed against minors. The decision prioritizes public protection and the weight of the loss suffered by the Valutyte family.
Skebas remained in custody throughout the legal process leading to his sentencing. He will serve his term in a high-security facility following the conclusion of the trial.
The case highlights the intersection of criminal intent and mental health claims within the UK justice system. By issuing a life sentence, the court affirmed the prosecution's stance on the defendant's awareness.
The Lincolnshire Police investigation focused on the physical mechanics of the crime to establish a deliberate stabbing. This evidence countered the defense narrative of total cognitive impairment.
Stakeholders in the local community expressed that the trial's conclusion provides a necessary legal resolution. The safety of children playing in the street remains a primary concern for local families.
The future implications of this ruling reinforce strict standards for diminished responsibility pleas in cases of extreme violence. It sets a clear precedent for how courts handle complex delusional claims.
Lilia Valutyte's death prompted a massive outpouring of grief and a demand for justice in the East Midlands. The finality of the life sentence addresses the public demand for accountability.
Marc Thompson reiterated that the focus must remain on the gravity of the act itself. The deliberate choice to use a weapon against a vulnerable child served as the central pillar of the sentencing decision.