'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

Security guard Gavin Plumb has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby.
Security guard Gavin Plumb has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

A security guard has been found guilty of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

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.

Read more: 'Obsessed' security guard accused of plotting to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby 'gained sexual arousal from plans'

Read more: Moment security guard accused of plotting to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby is arrested at home in police raid

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".

Court artist drawing of Gavin Plumb
Court artist drawing of Gavin Plumb. Picture: Alamy

'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."

Read more: Sex predator teacher Rebecca Joynes who slept with two underage boys jailed for six-and-a-half years

Read more: Biden insists he’s staying in the race despite reports he told allies he has ‘days to save campaign’

Block of flats on Potters Field, on the outskirts of Harlow, where Gavin Plumb lived
Block of flats on Potters Field, on the outskirts of Harlow, where Gavin Plumb lives. Picture: Alamy

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

MP Rosie Duffield claimed she was 'single-handedly bullied' out of the Labour party by 'millionaire barrister' Sir Keir Starmer.

Former Labour MP claims she was 'bullied out of the party' by 'millionaire' Starmer amid 'anti-sleaze' row

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

Former advisor to President Putin told LBC ‘Ukrainians will be thankful after we liberate them'.

Putin ally suggests Ukrainians should be 'thankful' nation is being 'bombed to bits'

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

Newcombe Road, Coventry.

One man dead and another left with 'potentially life-changing facial injuries' following Coventry double stabbing

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Streeting suggests Labour discontent is ‘manufactured rebellion’ as he refuses to confirm disability benefits U-turn

Alice da Silva Aguiar was one of the three children killed.

Fundraiser for playground in memory of Southport victims Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King reaches £250,000

Foreign Office staff enjoyed the Nassau Yacht Club in Barbados, in January 2023, spending £920.

Civil servants splurge on Barbados yacht club trip with taxpayer-backed credit card

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who mock Sarah Everard and called rape victim a ‘slut’

Met Police sued after reinstating 999 call handler who 'mocked Sarah Everard' and called rape victim a ‘slut’

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

FILE - Britain's Prince Harry leaves after attending an Invictus Games Foundation 10th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

Bombshell US court ruling orders Prince Harry's visa application files be made public by Tuesday

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

F1 Grand Prix Of Australia

Lando Norris wins a wet Australian Grand Prix despite last minute charge from Max Verstappen

Disabled people to be given right to try working without risk of losing benefits in welfare reforms.

Disabled people to be given 'right to try' work without risk of losing benefits

Britain's Prince William, Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), and Kate, the Princess of Wales, Patron of the Rugby Football Union (RFU), pose for a photo with Leif Thobroe

Royal split: William and Kate cheer on rival sides at Wales take on England in Six Nations clash

Wes Streeting MP - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care - in Downing Street 12th March 2025 - the day before NHS England was abolished.

Scrapping NHS England is ‘beginning, not the end’ says Streeting, vowing to cut hundreds of quangos