Arrest after girl, nine, fatally stabbed while playing

A 22-year-old man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murder following the fatal stabbing of a nine-year-old girl in front of her younger sister.

Lillia Valutyte was killed on Thursday in Boston, Lincolnshire, while reportedly playing outside a cafe where her mother was working.

A hula hoop and a doll’s pram were left behind at the scene, according to locals.

Her mother Lina was understood to have been working just 10ft away watching her girls from the window of the cafe and rushed out into the street to try to save her daughter.

Jurate Matulioniene, a ­family friend and chair of the Boston Lithuanian Community, described Lillia as a beautiful angel who loved dancing. She added: “The family used to come to all of our community events and they would always stay late to help clear up.

“I have spoken to the mum and asked for her account details because we want to do a fundraiser but she would not accept it.”

The arrest came hours after ­officers issued four CCTV images of a man they wanted to speak to. “Officers detained the man in the Boston Central Park area at around 2.45pm,” police said.

“The arrest follows a combination of intelligence and information supplied by several members of the public.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their assistance as we continue our investigation. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”

Lincolnshire Police also ­confirmed two people who were arrested last week had been released with no further action.

Chief Superintendent Martyn Parker said: “Our officers have been working round the clock on this investigation. This is a particularly tragic case and I’d like to reassure the public that we have a huge amount of resources dedicated to the investigation.

“We continue to provide support to the family of Lillia, as they grieve following this unimaginable loss.”

He thanked people who had aided the inquiry, and urged anyone else with information to contact police.

Parker added: “We are still encouraging anyone with information to contact us and you can do so via the major incident portal, of which the details are on our website.

“I would like to personally thank you for the support shown. Your support is very much appreciated.”

Anyone with information about the tragedy is asked to call 101 quoting Incident 419 of July 28.

Meanwhile, a 16-year-old girl has been injured after being shot outside a house party in Manchester.

The teenager was taken to ­hospital in a stable condition with a wound believed to have been caused by a firearms discharge in a drive-by shooting just before 10.30pm on Friday in Quinney Crescent, in the Moss Side area of the city.

Greater Manchester Police said the girl was not believed to have been the intended target.

Her injuries are understood to not be serious and police officers are with her as she continues to recover in hospital.

Investigators believe a single shot was fired from a passing vehicle at a crowd outside the address where the party was being held.