Holly Willoughby kidnap plotter jailed for life
37-year-old Gavin Plumb, from Harlow, has been sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court
The Essex man obsessed with Holly Willoughby and who planned to have her kidnapped and killed has been jailed for life today and been told he'll serve a minimum of 15 years and 85 days.
Last week a jury found 37-year-old Gavin Plumb from Harlow guilty of a number of charges.
The court heard how Plumb developed an obsession with the TV presenter over a number of years.
Jurors unanimously found him guilty of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap.
Today at Chelmsford Crown Court, Mr Justice Edward Murray sentenced Plumb to life imprisonment.
Guilty verdict
Plumb, a former security guard, wept in the dock as he was found guilty of masterminding “graphic” plans to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby.
Gavin 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.
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.
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”.
Willoughby praises bravery of victims
After the trial Holly Willoughby, who waived her right to anonymity, praised the “bravery” of the previous victims of security guard Gavin Plumb for speaking out after he was found guilty of “graphic” plans to kidnap, rape and murder the TV presenter.
The former This Morning host, 43, thanked the undercover police officer that “understood the imminent threat” to her life and helped foil his plot.
Following the guilty verdict, Willoughby said in a statement: “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 will now serve a life sentence, with a minimum of 15 years and 85 days in prison.
Streets of Essex are safer
Essex Police’s Senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp Greg Wood said:
“Today Gavin Plumb starts a life sentence.
“He is a dangerous individual with a history of kidnapping, attempting to kidnap and plotting to kidnap women and girls. In this case he went further and intended to rape and murder his victim.
“He tried to claim throughout the trial that he was an obsessive fan and a fantasist – that is simply not true. He planned this attack on Ms Willoughby over a two-year period, scoping her movements, seeking to elicit help from others to carry out his wicked plan, buying chloroform and other items to incapacitate, restrain and inflict violence upon her.
“He is no fantasist - he’s a calculated, violent, sexual predator who has spent his adult life inflicting or plotting to inflict harm on women."
Courage and bravery
DCI Wood went on to thank Ms Willoughby and other women who have been victims of Plumb, for their courage and bravery.
“Today I pay tribute to Ms Willoughby and the other women who have been victims of Plumb. The courage and bravery of all of them to support our investigations and prosecutions - now and previously - have helped us to protect other women and girls – thank you to all of them.
“This case has brought violence against women and girls and misogyny to the fore. It has demonstrated that all of us, whoever we are and whatever we do, have much to do to stamp out this scourge on our society.
“It cannot be right that men like Gavin Plumb are able to join online forums where they vent their hatred towards women and girls and plot to harm them.
“In this case our American colleague ensured we were able to bring Plumb to justice, but we need everyone to stand up to call out misogyny and to report those committing or intent on committing violence towards women and girls.”