A fruit picker accused of murdering nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte was allegedly taken to the hospital after a savage jail incident in which he was cut and beaten by a cellmate using a sledgehammer.
Earlier this month, 22-year-old Deividas Skebas, a citizen of Lithuania, was remanded to jail by the Lincoln Crown Court after being charged with murder.
Lilia was discovered on July 28 with a stab wound outside her mother’s embroidery shop in Boston, Lincolnshire, where she and her five-year-old sister had been playing.
Her Lithuanian mother, Lina Savicke, founded the Sava Code embroidery and screen printing shop in March of this year. She was reportedly playing with her younger sister outside the store.
The Sun states that Skebas was housed at Category A Wakefield Prison, but was the victim of a violent assault.
He spent the night in the hospital before being returned to his cell the next day.
A source told the newspaper: ‘Skebas was beaten to a pulp and also slashed with a makeshift shank weapon – likely a razor blade in a toothbrush.
‘People have been plotting against him for a while and on Sunday they got their chance, with a few running into his cell and ambushing him.
‘There was one bloke who meted out the beating, aided by a couple of others who joined in and kept watch. He was in a very bad way and was basically left for dead.
‘Guards found him and acted very quickly, and he was taken to hospital by air ambulance. Skebas has had a target on his back since he arrived – and really this attack was only a matter of time.
‘There are a lot of nasty people in Wakefield, in for a lot of awful things – but the fact the Lithuanian is accused of killing a nine-year-old made him a target. If guards had not found him, it could have been all over for him.’
Skebas was under constant supervision following his return to prison.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: ‘A prisoner at HMP Wakefield was treated in hospital for injuries following an assault by another prisoner.
‘We are unable to comment further while police investigate.’
On September 19, Skebas is scheduled to appear in court for a plea and trial preparation hearing, at which time a provisional trial date will be set.
The death of Lilia has sparked an outpouring of sadness in a city noted for its significant Eastern European population.
A family acquaintance praised nine-year-old Lilia as ‘an angel’ and ‘one of the most beautiful creatures,’ adding, ‘No one will feel her mother’s pain. The girl was a ray of the sunlight, just like her parents, who were the main helpers of our community and school events. The pain is unspeakable. We are devastated at this shocking news! Rest in peace, little angel.’
His family still resides in the industrial city of Utena in northeastern Lithuania, where Skebas was born. On the weekend, forensic officials conducted a search of a home overlooking Boston’s Central Park.
Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker referred to the murder of Lilia as “heartbreaking” and said that the case “has affected many people in Boston, and further afield.”