The Punch

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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The Punch: New Beginnings

New Beginnings

BBC Radio 4 - The Punch, New Beginnings

Aged 18, Jacob Dunne was convicted of manslaughter for killing a man with a single punch.

Aged 18, Jacob Dunne was convicted of manslaughter for killing a man with a single punch. This is the story of Jacob's transformation, with help from the unlikeliest of places.

Aged 18, Jacob Dunne threw a single punch in a drunken brawl outside a pub in Nottingham. His victim, James Hodgkinson, died in hospital nine days later and Jacob was convicted of manslaughter. 

Now 27, Jacob has a young family and has just completed a degree, but it was only after taking part in restorative justice that he began to turn his life around. Meeting face-to-face with James' parents had a profound impact on both Jacob and the Hodgkinsons, and the resulting relationship has changed Jacob’s life in unexpected ways. 

With his heart set on a career helping others, Jacob wants to understand his own transformation from angry teenager to a responsible father and respected member of the community. He has travelled the country giving speeches and workshops to students, prisoners, prison officers, hospital staff, educators and young offenders. In February, he gave the keynote speech at a graduation ceremony for trainee prison officers.

In this five part series, he retraces the key moments in his life since he threw the punch. It isn’t a straightforward story of rehabilitation but a complicated, often painful journey. Recording himself at home during lockdown, Jacob makes contact with his former parole officer, a prison officer, mentors, and others who have benefited from similar face-to-face confrontations.

In this final episode, Jacob thinks about his future and the career paths which might be open to him. He speaks to his former parole officer Wendy Flewitt, Inspector Andy Bridgewater (Head of the West Midland's Police Football Unit), and asks Joan and David the hardest question of all.

Produced by Kim Normanton and Victoria Ferran
A Just Radio production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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