Justin George Griffith has been found guilty of murdering 35-year-old Sean Ember in Andover. The 42-year-old was convicted at Winchester Crown Court after stabbing Ember and attempting to stage a break-in.
Police were called to a property in Arcaro Road at 8.41pm on 29 November 2024, where they discovered Sean on the kitchen floor suffering stab wounds to his neck and chest.
Despite paramedics’ lifesaving efforts, Sean was declared dead at the scene.
Following their investigation, officers charged Justin George Griffith with murder.
Winchester Crown Court heard how Griffith had knifed Sean before attempting to cover his tracks by making it appear an intruder was responsible.
Griffith informed ambulance call operators that someone might still be present in the garden, which delayed emergency treatment reaching Sean.
When police arrived, he repeated his claim that a burglar had broken in and attacked Sean. However, officers discovered the back door was locked and secured from within.
Griffith, previously of Milton Road in Southsea, pleaded not guilty to murder and the case proceeded to trial on Tuesday 6 May.
On 20 June, following nearly 13 hours of deliberation, jurors returned a guilty verdict.
Griffith has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear before Winchester Crown Court on 22 August for sentencing.
Detective Inspector Howard Broadribb, the case’s senior investigator, commented: “Our thoughts continue to be with Sean Ember’s family and friends, who lost him to Griffith’s tragic actions.
“Today’s verdict reflects the dedication of numerous police officers and staff who worked relentlessly to investigate this case and present it to the Crown Prosecution Service. The combined efforts of everyone involved in pursuing justice for Sean and his loved ones have now resulted in the conviction of the man responsible for his murder.”
