Family of 96-year-old welcome life imprisonment sentence for man who admitted murder

The family of a 96-year-old woman have welcomed the life imprisonment sentence for a man who admitted her murder.

Joshua Powell, 27, who sneaked into his grandmother's house while she slept and strangled her, to gain money from her will, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 26 years.

He killed 96-year-old Emma Finch and then set fire to her home in Mill Road, Liss, Hampshire, in the early hours of May 17 last year.

Following the sentencing, Emma’s family said: “Today we stand outside court having received justice for the murder of our beloved Mum, grandmother and great grandmother due to the cruel and senseless actions of her grandson, Joshua Powell.

“There are no words that can soften the pain we as a family have endured over the last 18 months since those tragic events on the 17th of May 2024, but today’s conviction will finally help to ease that pain as we finally come to terms with Mum’s untimely death.

“We as family would once again like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved in securing today’s conviction, your tireless professionalism to ensure justice has been served has provided us much comfort and for that we remain forever truly grateful.

“We would like to say a special thank you to the Prosecuting Counsel - Joanna Martin KC and Berenice Mulvanny.

“In addition our thanks go to DCI Howard Broadribb, DS Andy Panter, DC Dan Leese and the wider team from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary including our family liaison officers - DC Chris Hudson and DC Josephine Hill.

“To our wider family, friends and work colleagues the support you have shown to our family has enabled us to navigate the most difficult and unimaginable painful period in our lives, more so by the depraved actions of a family member.

“Mum throughout her amazing long life showed great courage and perseverance, we as a family must now do the same as we begin the process to rebuild our shattered lives with her ever in our thoughts and prayers.

"Mum can now finally rest in peace knowing that justice has been served and her grandson will now spend a significant period of his life incarcerated for her murder.

“We kindly ask that our family is given the time and privacy to finally be allowed to grieve our loss.

"Thank You.”

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector, Howard Broadribb, has also released a statement.

He said: “This is a tragic case that has had a significant impact on Emma’s family.

"My thoughts and those of all of the officers who have worked so hard to secure this conviction, remain with her relatives.

“Joshua’s callous actions took advantage of Emma’s trust in him.

"His subsequent denials when faced with mounting evidence against him showed a total disregard for Emma and her family.

"His subsequent admission at court spared them from having to endure a trial, but that is little comfort when compared to the loss that they have suffered.

"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.

“We are committed to ensuring those that commit the most serious harm in our communities face the consequences for their actions, and that we support victims to secure results like this significant sentence for them at court”.

On Friday 17 May 2024 at 4:29am, Hampshire Fire and Rescue attended a fire at an address in Mill Road, Liss after a carbon monoxide alarm was triggered.

Upon officer attendance, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service confirmed that the body of 96-year-old Emma Finch had been found at the scene.

Joshua Powell of Elmfield Court, Lindford was subsequently charged with murder on Wednesday 22 May and was remanded in custody.

Appearing at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 16 May 2025 Powell admitted the charge of murder.