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.
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.
4 Dec 2022
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.
4 Dec 2022
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
4 Dec 2022
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
4 Dec 2022
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
4 Dec 2022
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
4 Dec 2022
4. Escape
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.
4 Dec 2022
3. Testify
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.
4 Dec 2022
2. Betrayal
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
4 Dec 2022
1. Hackney, 2007
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
28 Nov 2022
Introducing Please Protect Abraham
Stepping in to be a hero was the start of a decade-long ordeal for 15-year-old Abraham Badru.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Contact Please Protect Abraham
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Please Protect Abraham?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
