Deividas Skebas: Fruit picker, 22, in court charged with murdering Lilia Valutyte, 9, after girl stabbed to death
A FRUIT picker has today appeared in court charged with the brutal murder of a nine-year-old girl who was stabbed to death as she played.
Lillia Valutyte was playing with her little sister, five, outside a café where their mum was working when she was brutally attacked on Thursday.
Police last night charged 22-year-old Deividas Skebas with her murder in Boston, Lincs.
Lithuanian national Skebas, of Boston, appeared before Lincoln Magistrates' Court today wearing a grey tracksuit.
He spent most of the two minute hearing with his head down and eyes closed and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
Skebas then appeared in Lincoln Crown Court this afternoon where he was remanded into custody.
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A plea and trial preparation hearing has been set for September 19.
Judge Peter Veits told him: "The offence you face is the most serious anyone can face in court.
"You will have to go to Crown Court."
Skebas' ex-girlfriend Beata Sapuskaite, 23, claims he comes from an "upper class" family in Lithuania.
He left the UK after suffering with health problems - but later returned to work, The Times reports.
Skebdas did field work, but was not employed by Lillia's mum's firm MS Agricultural Services, she added.
The Sun last night revealed how Lillia's mum Lina Savicke, 35, her husband and their other daughter, aged five, are in hiding over fears they too could be targeted.
Harry Potter fan Lillia was playing with a hula hoop and a doll's pram with her sister when she was stabbed outside a café on Thursday.
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Their recruitment boss mum was working on a laptop inside.
One theory police are probing is that the murder may have been a vendetta attack.
Scene of crime officers were yesterday scouring drains and bushes for a weapon on the streets between the murder scene and an address in Boston where a suspect was arrested on Saturday.
Tributes to Lillia - including Hogwarts items - were left where she died.
School pal Tia Mills, nine, wrote: “You were the bestest friend.
"Hopefully you are now with the angels in a better place.
"You are probably watching Harry Potter.”
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Lincolnshire Police said yesterday: “We are still encouraging anyone with information to contact us.”
Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker said: “This is a heartbreaking case that has affected many people in Boston, and further afield.”
