UK Grandson Sentenced to Life for Strangling His 96-Year-Old Grandmother

Joshua Powell, 27, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years at Portsmouth Crown Court in November 2025 for the murder of his 96-year-old grandmother, Emma Finch, in the village of Liss, Hampshire, England, in May 2024. Powell had visited Emma weekly, helping with grocery shopping and playing board games like Scrabble. Despite that relationship, he strangled her, then set fire to her home in an attempt to cover up the crime. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Emma died from neck compression before the fire was set.

The Motive

Powell was in significant debt at the time - owing £2,500 to his landlord and approximately £8,000 to other creditors. According to court reports, he had told friends he hoped “his nan died soon because he was skint and that he thought he was the only one getting money in the will when she died.” A carbon monoxide alarm triggered an automatic alert on the night of May 17, 2024, prompting firefighters to respond to Emma’s home. They found a fire originating from the back bedroom and discovered her body on the floor. Spent matches found at the scene differed from those elsewhere in the house, indicating deliberate arson.

Evidence Against Powell

Powell initially claimed he was asleep at home that night. CCTV footage contradicted him, showing his car leaving his address around 2 a.m. and remaining in the Liss area. His phone, connected to the car, was active during that time. Notes on his phone contained the code to the key safe at Emma’s house despite his claim of ignorance. Forensic evidence linked Powell to the injuries on Emma’s neck, the key safe wheels, and a belt found near the scene - which also carried traces of Emma’s blood. A knife missing from the house was recovered nearby.

Sentencing and Family Impact

Judge Michael Bowes KC noted that Emma had shown Powell “great kindness” and shared with him “a great deal of money during her life.” Powell pleaded guilty. He was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and found to have reduced cognitive function, but the court determined he “knew perfectly well the difference between right and wrong.” Emma’s daughter, Catherine Powell, said she would “struggle ever to forgive him.” Her son, Peter Finch, described it as a betrayal of a woman who had only ever shown love.

References: Grandma, 96, Found Dead After Her Grandson Had a ‘Nightmare’ About Killing Her | Lindford man murdered ‘loving’ grandmother to inherit money | Man ‘savagely’ strangled his gran, 96, to death and set fire to her