11 episodes
Please Protect Abraham BBC Radio 4
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- Society & Culture
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4.2 • 6 Ratings
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In Hackney, 2007, 15-year-old Abraham saves a stranger from a brutal attack. That split-second decision and act of astonishing bravery changes his life forever.
Journalist Sam Holder has been following Abraham's story for years. Together with Abraham's friends and family, they retrace how this young boy finds himself in fear of his own life.
This multi-award-winning series explores the protections in place for witnesses of violent crimes, the obligations for witnesses to give evidence in court, and what can be done if someone feels their life is at risk.
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10. Justice
Those who knew Abraham want further investigation work to take place to try to identify his killer and bring them to justice. Experts say Abraham’s story opens up questions about how suitable the current system is for protecting witnesses.
Presenter and Original Research: Sam Holder
Series Producer and sound design: Anishka Sharma
Story Consultant: Robert Awosusi
Additional Research: Christy Callaway-Gale
Theme music written and performed by Rebekah Reid and Tapp Collective.
Original music compositions by Femi Oriogun-Williams
A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4. -
9. Inquest
A letter out of the blue informs Ronke that - four years on - an inquest will take place looking at how Abraham was killed. For the first time, documents from the police and council are released.
Presenter and Original Research: Sam Holder
Series Producer and sound design: Anishka Sharma
Story Consultant: Robert Awosusi
Additional Research: Christy Callaway-Gale
Theme music written and performed by Rebekah Reid and Tapp Collective.
Original music compositions by Femi Oriogun-Williams
A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 4. -
8. Silence
The police launch an investigation for answers, but four years on, the person who shot Abraham hasn’t been brought to justice
Presenter and Original Research: Sam Holder
Series Producer and sound design: Anishka Sharma
Story Consultant: Robert Awosusi
Additional Research: Christy Callaway-Gale
Theme music written and performed by Rebekah Reid and Tapp Collective.
Original music compositions by Femi Oriogun-Williams
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 -
7. Just Pray
They remember it in vivid detail. The images have stayed in their minds for years. Abraham’s friends and family come together to retrace the events of a night that changed all of their lives.
Presenter and Original Research: Sam Holder
Series Producer and sound design: Anishka Sharma
Story Consultant: Robert Awosusi
Additional Research: Christy Callaway-Gale
Theme music written and performed by Rebekah Reid and Tapp Collective.
Original music compositions by Femi Oriogun-Williams
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 -
6. The Parcel
Abraham returns to Hackney, but a series of events that begin with an innocuous delivery lead him to believe that his true identity has been revealed. The family are desperate to leave the area.
Presenter and Original Research: Sam Holder
Series Producer and sound design: Anishka Sharma
Story Consultant: Robert Awosusi
Additional Research: Christy Callaway-Gale
Theme music written and performed by Rebekah Reid and Tapp Collective.
Original music compositions by Femi Oriogun-Williams
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4 -
5. Recognition
What is the process for securing new accommodation if you are fearful of your safety? What role do the police and local councils play?
Sam Holder follows the journey of Abraham’s mum towards a new home - and finds that the best possible solution is short lived.
Presenter and Original Research: Sam Holder
Series Producer and sound design: Anishka Sharma
Story Consultant: Robert Awosusi
Additional Research: Christy Callaway-Gale
Theme music written and performed by Rebekah Reid and Tapp Collective.
Original music compositions by Femi Oriogun-Williams
A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4
Customer Reviews
Great but has an agenda
The podcast is right that the police should have done more but the podcast brushes over the question why Abraham didn’t just rent somewhere far out of London? The answer, he was saving for a house deposit so he could have felt safe doesn’t cut it. Renting somewhere would have helped his safety as well. He didn’t have to buy to increase his safety. I agree with the general gist but don’t bend the edges to suit yoour agenda. Abraham and his mum had two incomes, they could have moved to outer London and commute into the city as millions of others do who can’t afford inner city rents. Understand that if you have been given something for free all your life, there is a psychological hurdle to suddenly spend most of your income on it. But that is what most people do. So the second question - apart from the police failure to witness protect Abraham - is: why is a family with two incomes allowed to stay in public housing? Once the murder happened, what is the police meant to do if the entire community stays silent ? The community has to work in change as well and can’t just look to the police. In summary, too narrow a view in this podcast, just following one agenda.