Deividas Skebas, 26, stabbed Lilia Valutyte in the heart as she played with a hula hoop in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 28 July 2022.

Skebas, a Lithuanian who has schizophrenia and told police he was being controlled by a chip implanted in his brain by the US space agency NASA, denied murder but admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

He was convicted of murder by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court on 5 February.

Lilia's mother, Lina Savickiene, said she found her daughter "covered in blood and with the hoop around her".

She initially thought "something might have happened" with the hula hoop and described shouting for help while attempting to cover her daughter's wounds as she became pale.

An off-duty police officer tried to help save Lilia, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Skebas was judged mentally unfit to stand trial in 2023, but that assessment changed in spring 2025 and a criminal trial began at Lincoln Crown Court in January this year.

Jurors were told there was no dispute he had killed Lilia but they had to decide what his state of mind was at the time of the attack.

Prosecutors said he had known what he was doing in stabbing Lilia - who would have turned 13 this year - and tried to avoid being caught.

Skebas appeared by video-link from high-security facility Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire wearing a navy blue zip-up jumper and stared ahead without reacting as his sentence was read out by Mr Justice Choudhury on Wednesday.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge said Lilia was a "happy, lively girl as carefree as any nine-year-old should be", adding that Skebas committed a "shocking and horrific act of violence" on her.

He added: "She should have been safe. She was playing in a pedestrianised area and just yards away from her mum."

Mr Justice Choudhury said Skebas had been a user of drugs including cannabis and amphetamines, which would "likely worsen" his schizophrenia.

Opening the Crown's case against Skebas last month, Christopher Donnellan KC told jurors: "This deliberate murder was clearly a wicked act. He knew his conduct was wrong. He knew he was killing a child."

Mr Donnellan told the court on Wednesday: "This was a particularly vulnerable victim, a young girl aged nine. The offence took place with a degree of planning or premeditation."

Jurors heard Skebas loitered around the area until it was quiet before he stabbed the girl with a Sabatier paring knife he bought from a Wilko shop two days earlier.

In the days after the attack, Skebas shaved his beard, tucked the knife behind a radiator and tried to leave the UK for Lithuania on a bus.

Lilia's mother said in an impact statement read by her husband, Aurelijus Savickas, on the day Skebas was convicted: "This is not something you recover from.

"Sometimes terrifying thoughts overwhelm the mind and during this trial there have been many, many more.

"Why her? Why us? The questions remain unanswered."

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The court heard Skebas was arrested two days after the attack, but his mental health was "declining" so he was taken to hospital.

He told detectives he had eaten a piece of rice which he believed was a microchip, and that he had "the power to resurrect" Lilia if the police contacted "his controller in NASA".

In CCTV footage shown to jurors, Lilia could be seen playing with a hula hoop while Skebas watched her from the end of the road, occasionally touching his back pocket, where Mr Donnellan said the knife was hidden.

The force of the attack caused Lilia to fall backwards onto the shutters of the shop next to her mother's store.

An off-duty police officer, Detective Constable Andrew Pearson, who was nearby at the time started running after the defendant, but after hearing "noises of distress" he tried to save Lilia's life.

The girl was pronounced dead at just after 7pm, within an hour of the attack.

In mitigation, defence barrister Andrew Campbell-Tiech KC said Skebas remains dangerous "not merely to himself but in the absence of medication... a danger to others".

He added: "This young man has been subject to a serious and dangerous condition for many, many years."

The judge told Skebas that although he has been sentenced to life imprisonment, "alternative arrangements may have to be made" because of his current mental state.

Thomas Morgan, 29, left little Jensen-Lee Dougal with "catastrophic" brain damage at the family home in Swansea after a row with his ex-girlfriend while the baby's mother was at work.

At Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday, Judge Mary Stacey said Morgan had shaken Jensen-Lee in a violent attack that left him with extensive injuries, then lied about what happened.

Jailing him for at least 19 years, she said: "The violent shaking with Jensen-Lee's head moving back and forward quickly accelerating and decelerating may have been very brief but it was hard enough to cause his extensive internal head injuries that caused his death."

The court previously heard the baby died in hospital after suffering severe brain damage, numerous fractures and extensive retinal bleeding to both of his eyes.

Morgan had been in a relationship with Jensen-Lee's mother, Jordan Dougal, and was treated as the baby's stepfather at the time of the murder.

Caroline Rees KC, prosecuting, said Morgan "seriously abused the trust placed in him" when he carried out the "extremely violent attack" on Jensen-Lee on 30 March 2024, the day before he died.

Morgan had a heated dispute with his former partner, Georgia Griffiths, earlier that day and was left alone with the infant while the baby's mother went to work.

Ms Rees told the jury Morgan was "full of rage" following the row with Ms Griffiths over text message.

She told the court: "It is clear that this abusive exchange had flipped some kind of switch in Thomas Morgan.

"By the time he was alone with Jenson-Lee, he was angry and aggressive and in no state of mind to be caring for a young baby on his own."

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While at work, Ms Dougal got a call from Morgan telling her the baby was choking and had stopped breathing.

The five-month-old was rushed to hospital but found to have a "devastating" brain injury and was taken off life support the following day.

Morgan denied inflicting serious injuries on Jensen-Lee and said he tried to save the baby after he fell ill in his care, believing he had choked on his own sick.

But he was found guilty of murder and causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Mrs Justice Stacey sentenced Morgan, of Gorseinon, Swansea, to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 19 years.

In a statement after the sentencing, Jensen-Lee's mother Jordan said: "Since Jensen-Lee's death, my life has been permanently changed. I live with overwhelming grief, trauma and emotional pain.

"I never had the chance to hear Jensen-Lee say he loved me. I will never hear him call me 'mammy'. I will never see him take his first steps, speak his first words, start school, or grow into the person he was meant to be.

"Due to what Thomas Morgan did, I have also received a life sentence, but mine is one of grief."

Temperatures at Kew Gardens in London hit 18.6C on Wednesday afternoon, with thermometers in Kent and Suffolk also topping 18C.

High Beach in Essex, Northolt in London, and Neatishead in Norfolk all saw temperatures rise above 17C.

Some areas experienced higher temperatures than in Barcelona, Spain, and Malta.

The sunnier weather comes following a wet start to the year.

However, Sky News meteorologist Dr Christopher England said: "It'll turn cooler from tomorrow, although temperatures will remain above average for most, as a strengthening and increasingly westerly wind brings cloud and rain to most, although the South East looks dry until after dark."

The mild conditions have been caused by a "generally southerly flow" due to low pressure to the west and high pressure to the east, he added.

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The Met Office also said the higher temperatures "do not signal a sustained shift into genuinely settled spring weather".

Overnight frost and fog are still possible while the overall outlook "remains changeable", it added.

Recent figures from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology revealed Northern Ireland and the southwest of England had their wettest January on record.

Police said the suspect, a white man in his 40s, was with another man, a black male, when they entered the property during Ramadan prayers.

It happened at the Manchester Central Mosque, in the Victoria Park area of south Manchester, at around 8.40pm on Tuesday.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said no one was injured and no threats were made, and the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

But the mosque described it as a "serious security incident" and said security staff had acted quickly in raising the alarm.

'Worrying for Muslim communities'

In a post on X, the prime minister said: "I am concerned to hear of the incident at Manchester Central Mosque last night. I know this will be worrying for Muslim communities, especially during Ramadan, a time of peace and reflection.

"My thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services for their quick response.

"We have provided up to £40m funding for additional security at mosques, Muslim schools and community centres, and will continue to act to ensure communities are able to live without fear."

Police confirmed the suspect was arrested by police on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon and possession of class B drugs.

He remains in custody for questioning.

Circumstances of incident 'unclear'

GMP's Assistant Chief Constable John Webster said: "We were called at around 8.40pm to concern from security staff at the mosque about a white man in a high-viz jacket carrying a bag with an axe inside.

"The man had reportedly claimed to be in the mosque to do work on the building, but staff had no knowledge of this.

"They rightly acted on their suspicions and called police. There was no suggestion that he made any threats or confronted members of the congregation.

"However, we understand the concern that this suspicious and concerning behaviour caused."

Mr Webster added: "We quickly responded to the scene where we searched the suspect, arrested him and seized weapons, including an axe, a knife and class B drugs.

"The suspect, a white man in his 50s, is under arrest on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon and class B drugs.

"At this time, it is not clear what the circumstances or intent, if any, was around this incident."

'We are taking this very seriously'

Mr Webster continued: "I know this uncertainty can cause concern, but it is key that we have the time to question the suspect and speak to as many witnesses as possible to understand the nature of this incident.

"To ensure we are appropriately exploring every line of enquiry, we are working with detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing North West, but it has not been declared a terrorist incident."

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The Assistant Chief Constable added: "We are taking this very seriously and have increased patrols around mosques at what we know is a really important time for Muslim communities as they come together during Ramadan.

"We're reviewing all available CCTV and body-worn video to identify a second man, a black man, who was reported as acting suspiciously in the mosque at the same time as the suspect."

Volunteers 'played crucial role in containing situation'

In a statement, the mosque said the UK's Muslim community had "experienced a notable rise in threats and hostility over recent years".

It added: "The increase in Islamophobic incidents is a serious concern, and greater resources are urgently needed to address this growing and real risk.

"Congregants are advised to travel in groups where possible and to ensure that children are not left unattended.

"The swift and responsible actions of our volunteers played a crucial role in containing the situation. Without their intervention, the consequences could have been far more serious."

Afzal Khan, the local MP for Rusholme, also said he was "deeply concerned" about the incident.

He said: "Just this week, the chancellor and home secretary announced more funding for protecting mosques, and this incident demonstrates once again why this funding is so vital."

Police are appealing for witnesses to help with their enquiries.

David Campbell, 77, coldly gunned down Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, in February 2024 and used his wife's e-bike to flee the scene.

Campbell was handed a life sentence with at least 19 years in jail at the High Court in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Judge Lord Scott branded it an "appalling and senseless act of extreme wickedness".

He stated: "You did not encounter Brian Low by chance that day, and you did not just happen to have a shotgun with you."

Advocate Depute Greg Farrell earlier described it as a "brazen, brutal and planned execution", adding: "David Campbell was an expert shot.

"He hunted Brian Low down like he was quarry."

Lord Scott said Campbell murdered an "unarmed and defenceless man".

He added: "There was no provocation for what you did. You murdered a man who offered no threat to you."

The killer earlier disabled his home CCTV system and placed duct tape over his doorbell camera in a bid to conceal his whereabouts on the day of the murder.

He also got rid of the shotgun, which has never been found, and changed the tyres on the getaway bike in an attempt to cover his tracks.

Campbell denied any wrongdoing and claimed he was at home at the time of the fatal shooting, but jurors saw through his lies and convicted him of murder.

Both men had previously worked at Edradynate Estate, where Campbell was head gamekeeper and Mr Low was a groundsman.

While giving evidence, Campbell denied shooting Mr Low out of "sheer malice" as he rebuked Mr Farrell for calling him a "liar".

When asked about his relationship with Mr Low, the killer said: "We just didn't get on. He didn't like me and I didn't like him."

Mr Low was shot dead on Leafy Lane, near to the Pitilie Track, on 16 February 2024. His body was discovered the following day.

The beginning of the inquiry was mired in controversy after Police Scotland initially treated the death as a "medical event", with Mr Low's bloody injuries suspected to have been caused by a fall.

The court heard that Mr Low's face had around 30 shotgun pellet injuries and when his remains reached a mortuary, shotgun pellets fell out of the bag.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.

The force's blunder meant the crime scene was not sealed off and forensically examined until days after Mr Low's body was found.

Three months later, Campbell was arrested and charged.

Lord Scott said: "It may be that, given serious errors in the early stages of police inquiries, you thought initially that you had got away with murder. If so, you were wrong."

During his interview with police, Campbell told detectives they were "desperate" with their accusations and said they were "just trying to save face" due to their mistake at the start of the probe.

While on the stand, he stated: "They made a monumental shambles of the whole investigation."

Detective Chief Superintendent Lorna Ferguson, the senior investigating officer for the case, accepted the initial response to the incident "fell short of what Police Scotland and the public rightly expects" as she apologised to Mr Low's family following the guilty verdict.

Crown witnesses testified how the killer had suspected his victim of trying to "set him up" in regards to wildlife offences after dead birds were found on the estate.

A local farmer, who was friends with both men, told jurors that Campbell once reportedly said of Mr Low: "I f****** loathe that man. I hate him."

Campbell denied saying that but admitted spreading "absolute lies" about Mr Low.

He claimed he was "ordered" by Michael Campbell, his former boss at Edradynate Estate who has since died, to lie about Mr Low planting rat poison at his home.

Campbell claimed this was part of his boss's efforts to get rid of Mr Low.

Jurors were also shown a formal written warning sent to Mr Low in May 2011 for indulging in "cruel gossip" about Campbell and his wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Campbell.

Mr Low, who apologised for saying some "extremely unpleasant things" about the couple to people not employed on the estate, was threatened with dismissal if something similar happened again.

However, in a statement given to police in April 2024, estate owner Mr Campbell said Mr Low "left on very good terms" and was given a car and money as a retirement gift in 2023.

Campbell, meanwhile, admitted being "sacked" in 2017.

Lord Scott said: "The bitterness and grudge you bore towards Brian Low, reflected in some of the things you said about him, did not diminish over time.

"Indeed, it seems to have become more intense, leading you to plan and carry out the sort of killing that was referred to in a relevant decision of the Appeal Court as 'a targeted assassination' or 'a pre-planned execution with a victim who was unarmed and unaware of the fate which was about to befall him'."

Mr Low's iPhone was analysed and "no movement data" was logged on the device between 4.52pm on 16 February and 11.26am on 17 February 2024.

A cyclist captured on CCTV in the Aberfeldy area on the 16th disappeared from view between 4.18pm and 5.01pm.

Prosecutors argued this was Campbell carrying out the murder as the bike had similarities to one belonging to his wife - which included a distinct wingmirror on the right handlebar.

In the days after the shooting, Campbell attended Crightons Cycles in Blairgowrie and had two replacement tyres fitted on to the electric bike in a bid to avoid detection.

However, soil sample analysis later connected it to the area where Mr Low's body was found.

Mrs Campbell, who was in Dunfermline visiting her daughter at the time of the murder, provided an explanation during her own testimony by way of claiming she had been on her bike a few times in late 2023 and early 2024 in the surrounding area.

Lord Scott said by the time of the trial, it must have occurred to Campbell that some of his previous lies were "ludicrous and would never be believed".

The judge added: "So you adapted your evidence in court to try to counter some of the incriminating facts, veering sharply away from some of your earlier lies and even some of your apparent trial strategy."

Seven other charges - including attempting to defeat the ends of justice and multiple breaches of the peace dating back to 1995 - were dropped by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) on Friday.

DCS Ferguson said: "I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that our initial response to this tragic incident fell short of what Police Scotland and the public rightly expects.

"We have reflected and we have learned from what happened.

"This learning included a complete review of all policies and procedures around attendance at unexplained deaths as we take steps to try and prevent something like this happening again."

DCS Ferguson described it as a "complex and challenging investigation".

Detectives examined 2,400 hours of CCTV footage, captured around 1,000 statements and visited almost 500 properties as part of the probe.

Expert witnesses in ballistics, biology, chemistry and cybercrime also played a crucial role in building evidence in the case against Campbell.

DCS Ferguson added: "Our thoughts today are very much with Mr Low's family and I would welcome the opportunity to apologise to them personally for our initial response to his death.

"They have described Brian as a much-loved partner and grandfather, who will be very much missed by all who knew him.

"They acknowledge the conviction at court today and have asked their privacy to be respected as they continue to process and grieve.

"Violent crimes are extremely rare in the Aberfeldy area, and I know this incident caused shock and fear within the local community.

"I want to thank all those living locally for their patience and support throughout our investigation, which saw extensive police activity for a long period of time in what is a quiet tourist town.

"Your information was vital in helping to trace the person responsible."