Deividas Skebas, who stabbed schoolgirl Lilia Valutyte to death in a random attack in Boston, Lincolnshire, has been sentenced to a minimum term of 25 years imprisonment - our live coverage is now closed but you can read the full story here
Lilia had been playing with a hula hoop when she was killed by "complete stranger" Skebas in July 2022
Lilia's parents have said that "the pain will not disappear" after today's sentencing
The court heard that Skebas had said he was "controlled by a chip implanted by NASA"
Skebas admitted killing the nine-year-old, but denied murder on the grounds his responsibility was diminished by his mental state
He was found guilty on 5 February following a trial at Lincoln Crown Court
He appeared in court via video-link from Rampton Hospital, which is a high security psychiatric facility in Nottinghamshire
Warning - this page contains distressing details
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
The announcement has just gone out calling everyone related to the case to come into court one here at Lincoln Crown Court. Skebas is not present in court. He is on a video link from Rampton Hospital, which is a high security psychiatric facility in Nottinghamshire.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
Lilia's mum and stepdad are here. They have waited for three-and-a-half years to see the man who killed their daughter be brought to justice.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
The press benches inside Lincoln Crown Court are full. There is space for about eight people and at times during the trial there were just one or two of us. People are also in the public gallery.
Outside, there are several TV cameras waiting for the sentencing outcome.
Image source, Lina SavickeLilia's parents described their daughter as having a "beautiful soul with a strong character".
Her mother, Lina Savicke, said the family had a statue of Lilia at their home "capturing her final minutes, playing with a hula hoop".
"Tears and pain cannot wash away everything we feel," she said.
"It is deeply painful to live through something whose consequences someone never truly thought through."
Lina said a memorial bench and a mosaic in Lilia's memory had been installed in Boston.
"Sometimes terrifying thoughts overwhelm the mind", Lina said.
"Yet, as a family, we stand strong, supporting each other through every low point and every wound.
"Simply tired of tears. Of constant overthinking. The child will not return. Why her? Why us?
"These questions remain unanswered."
Image source, Lina SavickeLilia's stepfather Aurelijus Savickas said when he dropped Lilia off outside her mother's store on the day of the killing she hugged him and said have a good day.
"That hug and kiss became our last moments together," he said.
"I have attended many funerals in my life, but nothing prepared me for losing a child.
"There are no words to describe that pain. It left scars on our hearts that will never fully heal."
He added: "Some emotions fade with time, but the memories remain, and the love never disappears."
"She was a beautiful soul with a strong character and strong personality.
"Lilia, you will always live in our hearts. You are forever loved."
Skebas's trial at Lincoln Crown Court began on 26 January and lasted eight days.
Prosecutor Christopher Donnellan KC told the court it was a "wicked act", adding Skebas knew he was "killing a child".
A psychiatrist giving evidence in Skebas's defence said in his opinion he had a defence of diminished responsibility.
The jury found Skebas guilty of Lilia's murder by an 11 to one majority verdict after deliberating for more than seven hours.
Skebas appeared on a video link from Rampton high security hospital to hear the verdict and did not appear to show any emotion.
He stared straight ahead as the statement of Lilia's mother, Lina Savicke, was read out.
"Over these years of loss, both I and my entire family have lived through so much.
"Tears and pain cannot wash away everything we feel.
"What parent ever thinks they will have to bury their own child?"
Speaking after the jury returned its verdict, Marc Thompson, district Crown prosecutor for Lincolnshire, said the "sudden and tragic" death had "shook the community".
Image source, Lincolnshire PoliceLithuanian national Skebas had a history of mental health issues, his trial heard.
He was detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act in 2020 after showing signs of psychosis when he attacked another person with pepper spray.
Skebas was discharged from the hospital to his native Lithuania but legally returned to the UK on 2 July 2022.
He arrived in Boston where he shared a multi-occupancy home in Thorold Street, living in the TV room.
He was found unfit to stand trial in the months after the stabbing and was later transferred to Rampton high security hospital.
In July 2023, a jury found Skebas carried out the act of killing Lilia, and, two years later, following an improvement in his mental health, it was decided he could face a murder trial.
Skebas was assessed by three psychiatrists who wrote a joint report for Lincoln Crown Court.
All three doctors agreed that Skebas had schizophrenia and was showing symptoms of psychosis on the day he killed Lilia.
However, the jury rejected Skebas's claim of diminished responsibility and agreed with the prosecution's assertion the killing was "deliberate and planned".
Image source, Lincolnshire PoliceSkebas was arrested at his home on Thorold Street in Boston two days later.
The paring knife used in the murder, recently bought from a local shop, was found behind a radiator.
In his police interview, Skebas claimed he had been "brainwashed" and was being controlled by a microchip given to him in a piece of rice in Norway.
"I would like you to contact Nasa" telling officers the US space agency could help.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
The town of Boston in South Lincolnshire was shocked and devastated by the murder.
The Lithuanian community in the town is very close-knit and Lilia and her family were well-known.
Lilia went to a Lithuanian school and a dance club. Her teachers and family friends spoke of a lovely little girl and a family who took an active part in local events.
Lilia loved Harry Potter and scarves in Gryffindor colours were left on the two ends of Fountain Lane.
Along with them were flowers and messages but also teddy bears and dolls.
Even with just a quick glance, someone who knew nothing about the case would have realised something horrific had taken place.
Jessica Lane
BBC Look North
Image source, PA MediaI first heard the news that a young girl had been stabbed in Boston on a warm summer’s evening in July 2022.
The school holidays had just begun. It was shocking at the time, but as details started to emerge it became even more so.
Pictures taken that evening showed children’s toys left lying on the road where Lilia had been playing.
As journalists it’s our job to find out the details. The bits of information that really make the story resonate.
And there were so many with this.
Lilia had been playing outside the shop where her mum worked. She was on the street where she’d played so many times and where she and her mum thought she was safe.
Much later, Lilia’s mum told me that she still had the hula hoop around her waist when she was stabbed and it was bent by the force of the impact.
Image source, Family photographLilia had been playing with a hula hoop outside her mother's shop on Fountain Lane.
The jury at the trial was shown CCTV footage of Skebas making repeated visits to Fountain Lane, where Lilia was playing, in the hour before the stabbing at about 18:15 BST.
The prosecution said Skebas appeared to be waiting for the street to become quiet.
He ran towards her and stabbed her in the chest and then ran off.
The schoolgirl collapsed into her mother's arms.
The court was told that, despite the efforts of an off-duty police officer, doctors and paramedics, Lilia died within an hour.
Image source, Lincolnshire PoliceWelcome to our live page from Lincoln Crown Court, where we will be bringing you updates from the sentencing of child murderer Deividas Skebas.
Skebas stabbed nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte to death in a random attack outside the shop where her mother worked in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 28 July 2022.
The 26-year-old admitted killing Lilia but denied her murder, claiming his responsibility was diminished by his mental state.
However, a jury at Lincoln Crown Court convicted him following a trial last month.
A warning that the content coming from the courtroom, and from our recap of the trial, contains details that you may find distressing.