Holly Willoughby: Gavin Plumb guilty in kidnap and murder plot
Picture credit, Getty Images
Security officer Gavin Plumb planned to break into the home of TV personality Holly Willoughby and kidnap her.
BBC News reported on the proceedings at Chelmsford Crown Court
BBC News reported on a case being heard at Chelmsford Crown Court.
A security guard has been convicted of planning to abduct, sexually assault, and kill TV host Holly Willoughby.
Gavin Plumb put together a collection of tools for a violent sexual attack on the ex-host of This Morning in order to bring his "ultimate fantasy" to life.
The man, who is 37 years old and from Harlow, Essex, was taken into custody and faced legal charges after he revealed his intentions online to an undercover police officer in America without realizing.
Plumb claimed he did not ask for murder or encourage kidnapping and rape from 2021 to 2023, but he was ultimately convicted after a trial that lasted eight days at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Ms Willoughby expressed her gratitude to the undercover police officer who recognized the immediate danger, as well as the quick actions taken by the Metropolitan and Essex police forces.
The person accused of trying to kidnap someone before cried in the courtroom when they were informed they would be punished on July 12th.
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, from Essex Police, informed the BBC that Plumb was an "obsessive solitary person" who had gathered "all the things necessary to seriously harm Holly Willoughby".
"If the American officer hadn't reached out to us...I am confident that Gavin Plumb could have continued to commit extremely violent crimes," he said.
Picture credit goes to Essex Police
During the trial, it was revealed that Gavin Plumb had a serious plan to abduct the broadcaster from her residence.
Ms. Willoughby left her position on This Morning after the crimes were revealed in October 2023, following a 14-year tenure on the show.
Plumb had developed a strong interest in Ms Willoughby for over a decade, according to prosecutor Alison Morgan KC.
He had a clear plan to abduct the broadcaster from her home, bring her to a place where she would be sexually assaulted multiple times, and then kill her, Ms. Morgan explained.
During the trial, jurors heard that Plumb was taken into custody after confiding in a police officer posing as someone else online.
The video from the police officer's body camera showing Gavin Plumb's arrest in the Holly Willoughby case.
Ms Morgan revealed that in 2021, Plumb discussed his plan with a man named Marc.
A communication sent by the accused to Marc said: "I am going to be living out my wildest dreams."
He said, "I've reached a stage where fantasy is no longer satisfying. I crave authenticity."
Nicola Rice, an expert prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), described Plumb's scheme as "disturbing".
"Gavin Plumb is a very harmful person who planned very horrible violence against one of the country's most well-known individuals," she stated.
Even though he tried to make everyone believe he was just a harmless dreamer, the prosecution was able to convince the jury that Plumb was actually a dangerous threat.
During the trial, it was revealed that Plumb bought 400 strong metal cable ties and bottles supposedly filled with chloroform to incapacitate Ms. Willoughby and her husband once he broke into their home.
Gavin Plumb confessed that the messages he sent from his apartment were "sinister."
Plumb informed Marc in a voice message in March 2023 that they plan to pressure Ms. Willoughby into making a video stating that she willingly joined them and agrees to everything they do to her, ensuring they are protected legally.
The court was informed that he visited an empty horse-breeding facility equipped with holding cells in order to "detain" Ms. Willoughby.
During his trial, Plumb confessed that the messages he had shared online about the presenter were "sinister", but he claimed that there was no intention to act on them.
He admitted that looking back, his comments were extremely regrettable and that he knew deep down that acting on his desires was never a realistic option.
The person accused said he purchased chloroform to remove a mark on his floor.
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood expressed his gratitude to the United States for alerting the United Kingdom about Gavin Plumb.
The FBI alerted Essex Police about Plumb's scheme after receiving information from undercover cop David Nelson, who works in the United States.
Mr. Nelson, using a fake name, talked with Plumb after secretly being part of an online group called "Abduct Lovers."
During the trial, Plumb was questioned about his two prior convictions for attempted kidnapping in 2006 and two additional offenses of false imprisonment in 2008.
Plumb admitted to having a "stewardess fantasy" when he attempted to remove two different flight attendants from a train within three days in August 2006.
Police officers were observed conducting a raid at Plumb's apartment in Potters Field, Harlow, in October 2023.
In 2008, he "scared" two 16-year-old girls when he bound their wrists and pushed them into the storage room of a store.
The person received a 12-month sentence, which was suspended for two years, for his initial crimes. Later, he was then given a 32-month jail term for the false imprisonments.
After the decision was made, Ms Willoughby shared her thoughts by saying: "It's not fair that women should feel in danger while just trying to live their lives and be safe in their own homes."
She expressed her gratitude to the CPS and the jury for making sure that justice was served and that the perpetrator would not be able to harm any more women.
"I also want to praise the courage of his previous victims for coming forward when it happened. If they hadn't been brave enough to speak up, this conviction might not have happened," the statement noted.
