Joshua Powell, 27, admitted to killing Emma Finch, who was found dead in her Liss home on May 17, 2024, after a carbon monoxide alarm went off, alerting Hampshire Fire and Rescue, according to police. A post-mortem later revealed that Finch died from neck compression, and she had died before a fire started on her bed. Forensic evidence linked Powell to her death, including blood on a belt and a knife recovered near the scene.
Despite initially portraying himself as a devoted grandson who visited Finch weekly to do her shopping and play Scrabble, CCTV and phone data contradicted Powell’s claims. His car was seen leaving his home around 2 a.m. on the day of the murder, and notes on his phone revealed he knew the code to his grandmother’s key safe weeks in advance, which he had denied.
Authorities also revealed that Powell was in debt at the time and allegedly told friends he “hoped his grandmother would pass soon” to inherit her estate. He even admitted having a nightmare that he had killed her.
Powell was arrested on May 19, 2024, charged with murder on May 22, and remanded in custody. On Friday, Nov. 14, Portsmouth Crown Court sentenced him to life in prison with a minimum term of 26 years.
Senior Investigating Officer Howard Broadribb described Powell’s actions as “callous,” taking advantage of Emma’s trust and showing total disregard for her and her family. “I hope that this sentence gives all of Emma’s relatives the opportunity to grieve their loss in the knowledge that justice has been served,” Broadribb added.
Emma Finch’s family has welcomed the sentence, hoping it brings some measure of closure after a deeply painful loss.
Sick bastard .Greedy pig