'Depraved and vile' plot to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby has had 'life-changing' impact on star

12 July 2024, 11:28

Security guard Gavin Plumb has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby.
Security guard Gavin Plumb has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

A security guard's attempted kidnap, rape and murder plot against Holly Willoughby has had a "life-changing impact" on the TV presenter.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Security guard Gavin Plumb, 37, was found guilty of the offences against TV presenter Ms Willoughby at Chelmsford Crown Court last week, and faces sentencing on Friday.

During the sentencing hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday, prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said Ms Willoughby wanted her victim personal statement to be kept private.

She continued: "What I can say, and I make this submission from the prosecution... it is abundantly clear that in making that statement the prosecution submits the impact of this offending has been life-changing for the victim of these offences - both in private and personal terms - private, personal and indeed professional.

"It is clear, the prosecution submit... that the extent of the shock and fear caused by this offending has been impossible to convey."

Read more: Holly Willoughby breaks silence after man found guilty of kidnap, rape and murder plot

Read more: 'Obsessed' security guard found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby

Moment Gavin Plumb is arrested for plotting to kidnap Holly Willoughby

Ms Morgan added: "My Lord knows of the extreme and gratuitous degradation of the victim that was planned by this defendant.   

"Degradation that was so depraved and vile that they were, by agreement, not reported in detail by representatives of the media."

In an earlier statement, Ms Willoughby said that women should "not be made to feel unsafe going about their daily lives".

Plumb, from Harlow ,had tried to argue it was just a fantasy - but the court heard he had an abduction kit.

The 37-year-old had become obsessed with the star - and the court heard he'd put together an "abduction kit" to carry out his attack.

Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Gavin Plumb (left) appearing in court
Court artist sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Gavin Plumb (left) appearing in court. Picture: Alamy

Plumb was snared after a US undercover police officer infiltrated an online group called Abduct Lovers and became so concerned about Plumb's posts that evidence was passed to the FBI.

US law enforcement in turn contacted police in the UK, and when Essex Police officers raided Plumb's flat in Harlow they found bottles of chloroform and an "abduction kit" complete with cable ties.

Plumb wept after jurors unanimously convicted him of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap following an earlier trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Tranyelle Harshman, 32, of Wyoming, left her fourth daughter fighting for her life after going on a rampage at their home on Monday.

Mum-of-four shoots dead three young daughters before turning gun on herself in horror rampage

Speeding car approaching warning to slow down, on UK road

Shock figures reveal 'incredibly dangerous' speeding across UK - as one driver caught doing 122mph on 30mph road

Emergency services work near the scene of an explosion at a bar where a grenade was thrown, in Grenoble, on February 12, 2025.

At least 12 injured after man wielding assault rifle throws grenade into bar

Dorothy Chiles

Great-grandmother, 87, pictured for first time after deadly train station attack, as woman in her 20s arrested

President Donald Trump speaks on Wednesday night

Trump makes plans to meet Putin and end Ukraine war as he says 'the US wants its money back'

Exclusive
Katie Amess has spoken out about the need for an inquiry into her father's murder by an Islamist terrorist

Daughter of Sir David Amess, MP murdered by Islamist terrorist, ‘made to sign NDA’ on report into father’s death

Exclusive
Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews

Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

Josef Fritzl

Incest monster Josef Fritzl could walk free from prison next year - and expects 'cheering crowds' to greet him

Ofsted's Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver supports an extension to term times

'Time to think about school holidays': Ofsted's Chief Inspector supports extending term times

Exclusive
Angela Rayner insisted that British support for Ukraine was 'unwavering'

Rayner insists UK support for Ukraine 'unwavering' despite Trump's plan for 'immediate' peace talks with Putin

Prince William, President of BAFTA, operates a film camera as he visits the London Screen Academy in London, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)

William tries his hand at being a cameraman on visit to London film academy

President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan.

Trump and Putin 'to meet in Saudi Arabia' and 'start negotiations immediately' to end war in Ukraine

Street scene in Peckham, London, with red bus

Bus driver, 76, found guilty of killing passenger who was run over while attempting to board vehicle

Norward Road, Lambeth, the proposed LTN.

Council staff given 'wellbeing day' after attending 'stormy' neighbourhood meeting

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, shakes hands with Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey prior to a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb.

Ukraine's NATO membership plans 'unrealistic' says US - as defence secretary claims US troops won't be peacekeepers