A man has been charged with murdering nine-year-old Lillia Valutyte in Lincolnshire.

Deividas Skebas, 22, was arrested by police two days after Lillia was found dead after being stabbed in Boston at about 6.20pm on Thursday.

Lincolnshire Police say the Lithuanian national, of Thorold Street, Boston, is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, on Monday.

Officers arrested Skebas in the Central Park area of Boston at around 2.45pm on Saturday following “a combination of intelligence and information supplied by members of the public”.

Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker said: “This is a heartbreaking case that has affected many people in Boston, and further afield.

“Our thoughts continue to be with Lilia’s family at this exceptionally difficult time.

“The response to such a devastating incident has involved committing significant resources to the investigation, and engaging with people in Boston who are understandably shocked by Lilia’s death.”

Lillia had reportedly been playing with her younger sister on the street just yards away from an office where their mother was working.

The girls had a hula-hoop, and a toy pram was left at the scene, according to locals.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has described Lillia’s death as “appalling”.