Gavin Plumb sentenced to life over plot to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby
A security guard who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder the TV presenter Holly Willoughby has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 16 years.
Gavin Plumb, 37, from Harlow, was handed his sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court following his conviction for soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap.
Plumb was caught after posting messages in an online group called Abduct Lovers, which had been infiltrated by a US undercover police officer.
When Essex Police raided Plumb’s flat in Harlow they found bottles of chloroform and an “abduction kit” complete with cable ties.
Plumb was arrested on 4 October last year and when officers told him that the allegations concerned Ms Willoughby, he said: “I’m not gonna lie, she is a fantasy of mine.”
The judge, Mr Justice Edward Murray, told Plumb his plans for Ms Willoughby were so “horrifying, shocking and graphic in detail” that they were not shared in open court.
The judge added that Ms Willoughby is a “well-known and well-loved public figure” but is “entitled to respect for her private and family life”.
He said Plumb's offences have had "life-changing consequences for her both privately and professionally”.
The judge added he had “no doubt” the security guard’s plans for Ms Willoughby were “considerably more than a fantasy”.
The judge said: “Your plan was hopelessly unrealistic for a number of reasons – including your poor physical health – but you clearly thought it was feasible.
“Although you talked about carrying out the plan on your own, I am sure that this was simply bravado.
“You always intended to carry out your plan to kidnap, rape and kill Ms Willoughby, but only if you could find the right man or men – the right ‘crew’ as you sometimes called it – to help you do it.”
Continuing his sentencing remarks, the judge said: “Over a number of years, you pursued an unhealthy sexual obsession with Holly Willoughby that led you ultimately to plan over that period to kidnap, to rape and to murder her.
“You intended to harm her husband and her children as part of your plan.
“You discussed with Marc and David Nelson – and no doubt others – in hideous and revolting detail the prolonged sexual violence that you intended to inflict on Ms Willoughby once you abducted her and had her under your control.
“You had previously been convicted of terrifying offences involving the threat of sexual violence against four different young women – I found you to be dangerous.”
The hearing also heard a victim impact statement from another woman who chose to remain anonymous.
Plumb had tried to falsely imprison the women in a shop in 2008.
In her statement the woman said she “felt a permanent sense of worry” that “she would bump into him when he was released” from prison.
Sasha Wass KC, mitigating for Plumb, told Chelmsford Crown Court that the defendant “worshipped and was obsessed by Ms Willoughby for a period of years, admittedly in a warped and bizarre manner”.
“A manner which he described as dark when he gave evidence,” she added.
Ms Wass said he was "devastated to be the cause of such pain" to Ms Willoughby.
She said Plumb “remains embarrassed and ashamed”, and said he “always expected” the online conversations that formed the focus of the trial “would remain private”.
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