Man who blamed intruder guilty of stab murder

Sean looks straight at the camera, half smiling. He has a reddish/brown beard. The collar of a blue and white striped shirt can just be seen.Image source, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary
Image caption,

Sean Ember died at the scene on Arcaro Road in Andover

  • Published

A man who blamed an intruder for a fatal stabbing has been found guilty of murder.

Sean Ember, 35, was found dead with neck and chest wounds in the kitchen of a property in Andover, Hampshire, in November 2024.

Justin Griffith, 42, pretended that someone had broken in and carried out the attack, police said.

He will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on 22 August.

Police were called to an address on Arcaro Road at 20:40 GMT on 29 November.

Griffith, who phoned for an ambulance, told call handlers the culprit might still be in the garden, detectives said.

The lie delayed life-saving efforts by paramedics and Mr Ember was pronounced dead at the scene, police added.

Det Insp Howard Broadribb said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Sean Ember who was tragically killed by Griffith.

"Today's verdict is a reflection of the commitment of a large number of police officers and staff who worked tirelessly to investigate this incident."

Griffith, whose previous addresses include Milton Road in Southsea and Botley Road in Southampton, was remanded into custody.

A second man, Sean Griffith, 21, of Feltham in west London, was previously charged with perverting the course of justice in connection with the incident.

He was also accused of possession of a specified item inside a prison without authority and intimidation of a witness, but the charges against him were dropped, police said.

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