Gavin Plumb convicted of plotting to murder Holly Willoughby: police

Gavin Plumb, described by police in Essex, England, as a “dangerous sex offender,” was found guilty on July 4 of planning the kidnapping, rape and murder of television presenter Holly Willoughby, police confirmed in a press release.

“A dangerous sex offender who plotted to kidnap a television presenter from her parents’ home before raping and murdering her has been convicted thanks to the work of Essex Police detectives,” Essex Police wrote.

According to the BBC, Plumb worked as a security guard.

On July 4, “following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Plumb of Potters Field, Harlow was found guilty of inciting the murder of Holly Willoughby, aiding or abetting the commission of her abduction and aiding or abetting the commission of her rape,” police wrote.

Plumb, 37, “had been planning an attack on Holly Willoughby since 2021, carefully planning how he would carry out his depraved plan and even purchasing a kidnapping kit for the purpose,” Essex Police wrote.

“Gavin Plumb is a dangerous, predatory individual who was bent on inflicting the most serious harm on his victim,” said Essex Police lead investigator Detective Chief Insp Greg Wood in the press release. “He was not simply obsessed with Holly Willoughby, he meticulously and carefully planned, over a number of years, a depraved and violent attack in which he sought to deprive her of her freedom and ultimately her life.”

“I will be eternally grateful to the undercover officer who recognised the imminent threat and to Metropolitan and Essex Police for their swift response,” Willoughby told the BBC, which reported that Willoughby resigned from This Morning in 2023 after 14 years when the allegations against Plumb emerged.

According to police, an undercover US investigator foiled the plot against Holly Willoughby

GettyHello Willoughby.

Essex Police cited the work of an undercover American investigator “and the prompt action of Essex Police detectives” and stated that Plumb “was arrested in October 2023 before he could commit his crimes against his intended victims.”

During the trial, jurors were told “how Plumb had developed an obsession with Holly Willoughby over the years. He had scoured social media and online materials, collecting thousands of images of the star and gaining detailed knowledge of her activities and movements,” the police press release said.

“Plumb’s plans were violent, graphic and sexually motivated. He began a series of discussions on online forums dating back to 2021, where he participated in a series of discussions discussing his plan to kidnap the presenter from her family home. He had conducted extensive research to carry out his plan,” police wrote.

According to police, Plumb was caught in October 2023 communicating online with a man who turned out to be the undercover agent, who then contacted the FBI and British police, leading to Plumb’s arrest.

“Following the arrest, officers searched Plumb’s home and found two bottles of chloroform and the kidnapping kit, which contained items designed to bind and harm the intended victim. They also seized cell phones that contained incriminating messages and images related to his plans,” the press release said.

Gavin Plumb discussed plans to detain Holly Willoughby, police say

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 16: Holly Whilloughby attends The Prince’s Trust and TKMaxx & Homesense Awards 2023 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on May 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

The police press release details the allegations.

“During online discussions, Plumb discussed how he would tie up his victim and even purchased supplies, including metal cable ties, rope and chloroform,” the press release said.

“The court heard various voice messages and communications exchanged between Plumb and another man, ‘Marc,’ in which they discussed graphic details of sexual and violent crimes they planned to commit against the victim,” the press release said.

“Plumb explored ways to approach the victim, including locations where she was filming, and even went so far as to explore using a remote building where he could take her,” it continues. “He also conducted extensive internet research on the use of chloroform and rape and was a member of an online forum dedicated to the abduction of women.”

According to the press release, Plumb told his potential accomplices that he planned to kidnap his victim at night, incapacitate her with chloroform, and then force her to record a video in which she would testify that she left with Plumb ‘of her own volition,'” the press release states.

“The jury was also told that Plumb had a number of previous convictions relating to false imprisonment and attempted kidnapping of women, including two 16-year-old girls,” it said.

Wood said in the press release that Plumb claimed in court that he was a “fantasist,” but police do not believe that because he “plotted so intensely with others to carry out his evil plan. Plumb has also attacked other women and attempted to kidnap them with weapons and threats of violence.”

“He is a dangerous man and I have no doubt that he was determined to carry out the acts he planned,” Wood added, noting that Willoughby “courageously waived her anonymity.”

Plumb’s sentencing will take place on July 12, the press release states.