Dark Premonitions

Overview

Radio 1 Presenter Sian Eleri investigates the story of Scottish medium Helen Duncan, who in 1944 became the last person convicted and imprisoned under the Witchcraft Act. As the Blitz rained down on London, Helen went on trail at the Old Bailey in a case that would make headlines around the world. Revered by her supporters, who believed she had the power to bring back spirits of the dead, Helen became the most notorious medium in history, and people flocked to have seances with her. Sian begins by tracking down former criminal lawyer Graham Hewitt, who is fighting to pardon Helen on behalf of her surviving family members. Sian discovers it was actually fraud for which Helen was put in prison using witchcraft law, but Graham highlights what he believes is inexplicable evidence from her trial that proves otherwise.