Man jailed for murdering girl playing with hula hoop in Boston street
BBC World
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 25 years for murdering a nine-year-old girl in Boston, Lincolnshire, during a random attack while she played with a hula hoop outside a shop. Deividas Skebas, 26, stabbed Lilia Valutyte in the chest on July 28, 2022, before fleeing the scene. Despite his mental health issues, including schizophrenia and symptoms of psychosis at the time, a jury found him guilty after an eight-day trial. Judge Mr Justice Akhlaq Choudhury described the act as "shocking and horrific," emphasizing that Skebas showed no emotion during the attack or sentencing.
Skebas, who appeared via videolink from Rampton Hospital, where he remains due to his mental health condition, was told he will stay in a psychiatric facility unless deemed fit for release. During the trial, it was revealed that Skebas claimed to be controlled by a microchip and had a history of mental health problems. Psychiatrists confirmed his diagnosis of schizophrenia and agreed on his psychotic state during the attack. However, prosecutors argued that his mental illness did not prevent him from planning the murder, calling it a "wicked act."
Lilia's mother, L
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/25/2026