A murder trial has revealed the tragic incident where a nine-year-old girl playing with a hula hoop on the street was fatally stabbed in the heart and collapsed in her mother’s arms. Lilia Valutyte was attacked by Deividas Skebas, 26, outside her mother’s embroidery shop, as recounted by Lina Savickiene, the girl’s mother. Ms. Savickiene found Lilia covered in blood with the hoop still around her after the stabbing.

According to the prosecution, Mrs. Savickiene initially thought the girl’s condition was due to an issue with the hula hoop. Lilia’s mother described how she saw her daughter getting pale, collapsing in her arms, and witnessing the wounds before seeking help in panic.

Earlier that day, Mrs. Savickiene and Lilia had gone into town for lunch and shopping, and later allowed Lilia to play outside because the street was quiet around 5pm. Lilia was frequently checked on by her mother until she heard her daughter calling for assistance.

The tragic incident occurred in the town center of Boston, Lincs., on July 28, 2022. Skebas, a Lithuanian national, had recently returned to the UK before the fatal stabbing. He denies the murder charge but admits to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, citing his schizophrenia diagnosis as a contributing factor.

The defense argued that Skebas was deluded at the time of the attack, with doubts about his recovery from his condition. Skebas had mentioned having the power to resurrect Lilia if certain conditions were met. The trial continues, with Skebas currently in Rampton Hospital following his transfer from prison in December 2022.