SENSELESS KILLING
Tragic Lilia Valutyte, 9, was stabbed in the chest as she played outside with sister, inquest reveals
A NINE-year-old schoolgirl was stabbed to death in the chest as she played outside with her sister, an inquest opening revealed today.
Little Lilia Valutyte was brutally attacked and killed outside a café where her mum was working at around 6.20pm on July 28.
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Haunting CCTV footage showed her holding a hula hoop as she played with her five-year-old sister in the street in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Just ten minutes later, Lilia was killed.
Lincolnshire Coroner's Court was told she was formally identified by her stepfather Aurelijus Savickas.
Acting senior coroner Paul Smith was told a forensic post-mortem examination had been carried out by pathologist Stuart Hamilton and the "provisional cause of death has been given as... stab wound to the chest."
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The coroner adjourned the inquest until the criminal proceedings finish.
It comes after video footage shows police racing over to the primary school pupil in a desperate bid to save her after the attack.
Passers-by then gather at the scene before cops usher them away, according to ITV News.
A fruit picker was later arrested and charged with Lilia's murder.
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Lithuanian national Deividas Skebas kept his head low as he appeared in court on Monday.
Dressed in a grey tracksuit, the 22-year-old spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.
He later appeared before Lincoln Crown Court where he was remanded in custody.
A plea and trial preparation hearing has been set for September 19.
Lilia's mum Lina is understood to have been working just 10ft away, watching her girls from a window when Skebas allegedly struck.
She was the first to rush to her daughter’s aid on the cobbled street, which is also home to legal and accountancy firms, beauticians and restaurants.
Lina, her husband and their other daughter are now in hiding over fears they too could be targeted.
A close friend told The Sun: "The family are so, so worried. They have not been able to stay at home.
"They are worried whoever did this could still be out there. They are worried they could be a target.
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"It is just so awful — they have the impossible task of trying to come to terms with the loss of Lilia.
"Then they still feel they need to protect their other little daughter."
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