The man accused of murdering nine-year-old Lilia Valutyte has been attacked in prison.
Deividas Skebas, 22, was airlifted to hospital after being set upon in HMP Wakefield amid reports he was stabbed with a makeshift “shank”.
The Lithuanian fruit picker has been charged with murdering little Lilia as she played with her sister outside a cafe in Boston, Lincolnshire, last month.
He was remanded into custody after being arrested by police and is now being held in HMP Wakefield.
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.”
Skebas was discharged from hospital the day after he was attacked, another inmate attacked him with a makeshift “shank”.
“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.”
The source added that Skebas had a “target on his back” as soon as he arrived in jail.
The 22-year-old was “basically left for dead” in his cell following the attack, the source said.
Guards monitored Skebas overnight and he is now set to be moved to another prison.
Lilia’s mum Lina Savicke, 35, previously said murder suspect Skebas’s mother Daiva had phoned her to offer full support.
Lina said: “His mother called yesterday. I heard that he comes from a very good family. She promised to take care of everything that she is able to.”
Lina said her family are now raising money for a sculpture that she wants placed near the spot where Lilia died.
It is understood plans are already being made for the sculpture to resemble an angel.
