Please Protect Abraham

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

20230310

The story of the state's collective failure to protect a witness.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

1. Hackney, 2007

20221205

20230329 (R4)

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 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.

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

How do we protect those who do the right thing?

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

2. Betrayal

20221206

20230405 (R4)

15-year-old Abraham faces an almost impossible decision.

He has saved a teenage girl from a brutal attack. He is asked to provide evidence in the upcoming trial. But already, Abraham is receiving threatening messages to stay silent. How real are the risks? Journalist Sam Holder investigates what types of protections are available to witnesses of violent crimes.

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

Abraham begins to receive both threats to stay silent and pressure to speak out.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

3. Testify

20221207

20230412 (R4)
20230415 (R4)

As Abraham makes a decision about whether to stand and give evidence, journalist Sam Holder examines how the court process works for those who feel threatened. Where could Abraham have turned to for support? What makes someone a vulnerable witness - and what can be done to keep them safe?

And are there wider concerns about how the justice system operates?

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.

Abraham decides his next steps - and hopes to be protected in return.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

4. Escape

20221208

20230419 (R4)
20230422 (R4)

After digital threats seem to manifest into physical ones for Abraham, he maps out his own route to safety. It's a decision that results in him leaving everything he knew behind.

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.

Abraham takes matters into his own hands.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

5. Recognition

20221209

20230426 (R4)
20230429 (R4)

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

Abraham makes a worrying discovery when he comes back to visit his mum.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

6. The Parcel

20221212

20230503 (R4)
20230506 (R4)

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

Abraham's attempts to separate himself from his deepest fears are thwarted.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

7. Just Pray

20221213

20230510 (R4)
20230513 (R4)

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

Abraham's friends and family retrace the events of Sunday 25 March, 2018.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

8. Silence

20221214

20230517 (R4)
20230520 (R4)

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

The investigation begins.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

9. Inquest

20221215

20230524 (R4)
20230527 (R4)

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.

Four years on\u2026 Abraham's inquest takes place.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

10. Justice

20221216

20230531 (R4)
20230603 (R4)

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.

Abraham's family and friends keep searching for justice.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

OMNI

20230303

The boy who became celebrated as a hero and the battle to protect him.

Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
		20230310		The story of the state's collective failure to protect a witness. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
02	1. Hackney, 2007	20221205	20230329 (R4)	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 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. 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 How do we protect those who do the right thing? Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
03	2. Betrayal	20221206	20230405 (R4)	15-year-old Abraham faces an almost impossible decision. He has saved a teenage girl from a brutal attack. He is asked to provide evidence in the upcoming trial. But already, Abraham is receiving threatening messages to stay silent. How real are the risks? Journalist Sam Holder investigates what types of protections are available to witnesses of violent crimes. 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 Abraham begins to receive both threats to stay silent and pressure to speak out. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
04	3. Testify	20221207	20230412 (R4) 20230415 (R4)	As Abraham makes a decision about whether to stand and give evidence, journalist Sam Holder examines how the court process works for those who feel threatened. Where could Abraham have turned to for support? What makes someone a vulnerable witness - and what can be done to keep them safe? And are there wider concerns about how the justice system operates? 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. Abraham decides his next steps - and hopes to be protected in return. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
05	4. Escape	20221208	20230419 (R4) 20230422 (R4)	After digital threats seem to manifest into physical ones for Abraham, he maps out his own route to safety. It's a decision that results in him leaving everything he knew behind. 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. Abraham takes matters into his own hands. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
06	5. Recognition	20221209	20230426 (R4) 20230429 (R4)	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 Abraham makes a worrying discovery when he comes back to visit his mum. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
07	6. The Parcel	20221212	20230503 (R4) 20230506 (R4)	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 Abraham's attempts to separate himself from his deepest fears are thwarted. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
08	7. Just Pray	20221213	20230510 (R4) 20230513 (R4)	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 Abraham's friends and family retrace the events of Sunday 25 March, 2018. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
09	8. Silence	20221214	20230517 (R4) 20230520 (R4)	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 The investigation begins. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
10	9. Inquest	20221215	20230524 (R4) 20230527 (R4)	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. Four years on\u2026 Abraham's inquest takes place. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
11	10. Justice	20221216	20230531 (R4) 20230603 (R4)	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. Abraham's family and friends keep searching for justice. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.
OMNI		20230303		The boy who became celebrated as a hero and the battle to protect him. Multi-award-winning series about a young hero and the battle to keep him safe.