Holly Willoughby releases Statement after Essex man found guilty of kidnap plot
The TV presenter has spoken out after 37-year-old Gavin Plumb from Harlow was found guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court
Last updated 4th Jul 2024
TV presenter Holly Willoughby has said women "should not be made to feel unsafe ... in our own homes" after a security guard was convicted of masterminding a plot to kidnap, rape and murder her.
The Dancing on Ice star thanked an undercover officer who helped foil Gavin Plumb's plans and for understanding the "imminent threat" to her life.
Plumb developed an "obsession" with Ms Willoughby over a number of years and assembled an "abduction kit" - complete with handcuffs and metal cable ties - to help carry out his attack.
A jury at Chelmsford Crown Court dismissed the 37-year-old's defence that his plans were a "mere fantasy", agreeing with the prosecution that he was a "prolific liar who sought to minimise the extent of his criminality".
The jury took 12 hours and 19 minutes to unanimously convict him of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap.
As the verdicts were returned, Plumb slowly shook his head and stared at the floor of the dock.
He then began to weep as he was sent down to the cells, sniffling as he tried to hold back tears.
In a statement after the jury returned its verdicts, Ms Willoughby said: "As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.
"I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.
"Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.
"I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible."
Plumb, 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".
During the trial, jurors were taken through a lengthy "sequence of events" document, which displayed Plumb's "appalling messages" to others about what he would do to the Dancing On Ice presenter.
His plans were foiled when one of his potential accomplices, who went by the name of David Nelson, turned out to be an undercover officer from the Owatonna Police Department in the US state of Minnesota.
Plumb told Mr Nelson he was "definitely serious" about his plot to kidnap Ms Willoughby, leaving the officer with the impression that there was an "imminent threat" to her.
Evidence was passed to the FBI and the defendant was arrested at his flat in Harlow, Essex, on October 4 last year, where he told officers: "I'm not gonna lie, she is a fantasy of mine."
In a statement released after Plumb was found guilty, Essex Police thanked Ms Willoughby, who the force said had "courageously supported this case throughout and bravely waived her anonymity".
The TV star waived her right to anonymity in connection with the charge against Plumb of assisting or encouraging rape.
The prosecution will be applying for a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order at the security guard's sentencing hearing, the court heard.
Plumb will be sentenced at the same court on Friday July 12.