'Obsessed' security guard found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby
4 July 2024, 15:00 | Updated: 4 July 2024, 15:59
A security guard has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby.
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Security guard Gavin Plumb, 37, was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court of masterminding a plot to kidnap, rape and murder Ms Willoughby.
A jury dismissed Plumb's defence that his plans were a "mere fantasy".
Plumb developed an "obsession" with the star over a number of years and assembled an "abduction kit" - complete with handcuffs and metal cable ties - to help carry out his attack.
The jury unanimously convicted him of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap.
Plumb slowly shook his head and looked down at the floor as the verdicts were read out. He then reportedly began to weep as he left the court.
The father-of-two has two previous convictions for attempted kidnap, for trying to abduct two women off a train and two for false imprisonment after he held two 16-year-old girls at knifepoint.
At Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, jurors heard that his sexual motive was clear in his "appalling messages" to others online.
The defendant, who adopted the user name Big Bear to chat to others about his plot online, appeared to formulate his fantasy as early as 2011 - googling the phrase "how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebs".
'Dangerous, predatory individual'
Following the guilty verdicts in Gavin Plumb's case, Essex Police's senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said: "Gavin Plumb is a dangerous, predatory individual who was intent on causing the most serious harm to his victim.
"He was not just simply obsessed with Holly Willoughby, he meticulously and carefully planned, over a number of years, to carry out a depraved and violent attack, in which he plotted to deprive her of her liberty and ultimately her life.
"His claims in court that he was a 'fantasist' are simply not true and were evidenced by the extent with which he plotted with others to carry out his wicked plan."
Continuing his remarks following the guilty verdicts in the case, Mr Wood added: "Plumb also had a history of attacking other women, attempting to kidnap them using weapons and threats of violence.
"He is a dangerous man and I have no doubt he was determined to carry out the acts he planned.
"Today, we are extremely grateful to our law enforcement colleague in America who not only brought Gavin Plumb to our attention, but helped gather the vital evidence that secured his conviction.
"We would also like to thank the victim who has courageously supported this case throughout and bravely waived her anonymity.
"Today, Gavin Plumb remains where he belongs - behind bars."
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