Chilling footage has revealed the moment a killer remained silent as he faced police after a devastating crime. The interview was shown in a Channel 5 true crime documentary.
Murder Scene: The Incident Room aired a new episode tonight (October 14) titled A Killer in the Family. The instalment transported viewers to a devastating 2024 fire in Hampshire, where firefighters made a heartbreaking discovery.
96-year-old found dead
When detectives arrived on the scene, they were faced with a chilling reality. 96-year-old grandmother Emma Finch was found dead on her bedroom floor, with suspicions soon turning to her grandson Joshua Powell.
The episode heard from detectives involved and how they pieced together vital information. The police interview with Joshua was also shown. With 96 hours to question him, and detectives working against the clock, Joshua decided to exercise his right to silence on multiple occasions.
Evidence kept getting stronger
The episode heard how the evidence against Joshua "kept getting stronger" before detectives had a sufficient amount to bring a charge of murder. Viewers also heard heartbreaking accounts from family, including Emma's son Peter.
On May 16, 2025 - a day before the anniversary of Emma's killing - Joshua pleaded guilty to the murder of his grandmother. The documentary heard: "He was left with no option but to plead guilty. By admitting his guilt and telling everyone how he killed Emma, he did at least avoid putting the family through a trial."
Life sentence
Months later, on November 14, Joshua Powell was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court, where he was handed the sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum term of 26 years. Aged 17 at the time, he would be 53 before even being considered for release. As of 2026, he would still be in prison for his crime.
At the time of the sentencing, Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Howard Broadribb, said: "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."
Murder Scene: The Incident Room airs Mondays at 8pm on Channel 5.
