A MAN pounced on a nine-year-old girl and stabbed her in the heart as she played on the street in a “wicked” murder, a court heard.
Lilia Valutyte was outside the shop where her mum worked in Boston, Lincolnshire, when she was attacked.
Lithuanian national Deividas Skebas was allegedly lying in wait, watching the youngster as she played hula hoop with another child.
The 26-year-old then ran towards her and pulled a knife from the back pocket of his trousers while “barely altering his pace”, jurors heard.
Lincoln Crown Court heard he then thrust the blade through Lilia’s heart – causing her to collapse in the street.
Tragically, the youngster could not be saved and died an hour after the attack July 28, 2022.
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Jurors were told Skebas denies murdering Lilia but admits manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC said there is no dispute that he stabbed and killed Lilia, but the jury must decide what the defendant’s state of mind was when he killed her.
He added: “It’s a tragic case, we accept. But, as has already been indicated by My Lord, one you have got to set aside your emotions.
“This deliberate murder was clearly a wicked act.
“He knew his conduct was wrong. He knew he was killing a child.”
The court heard Lilia was playing outside just after 6.15pm while “barely anyone was about”.
Mr Donnellan said Skebas waited while other pedestrians moved out of the way before he pounced.
He added: “He put the knife straight into the middle of Lilia and the force of it appears to have knocked her back towards some shutters on the adjoining shop.
“That stab wound went straight through her heart and she fell there in the street. He ran off.”
Jurors were told an off-duty police officer nearby initially chased the defendant but instead tried to save Lilia after hearing “noises of distress”.
Skebas was arrested on July 30 but his mental health was “declining” so he was transferred to hospital.
Jurors were told at the time, he was found not fit to be tried after he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Skebas was treated for his mental health both in the UK and in Lithuania, it was said.
The trial continues.
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