Dangerous sexual predator convicted after plotting to murder TV presenter

A dangerous sexual predator who plotted to kidnap a female television presenter from her family home before raping and murdering her, has been convicted thanks to the work of Essex Police’s detectives.

Gavin Plumb, 37, had been plotting an attack on Holly Willoughby since 2021, carefully planning how he would carry out his depraved plan and even purchasing a kidnap kit for the purpose.

However, thanks to an American undercover police officer and the prompt actions of Essex Police detectives, Plumb was arrested in October 2023 before he could carry out his crimes against his intended victims.

Today, Thursday 4 July,  following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Plumb of Potters Field, Harlow was convicted of soliciting the murder of Holly Willoughby, encouraging or assisting the commission of her kidnap and encouraging or assisting the commission of her rape.

During the trial, jurors were told how Plumb had developed an obsession with Holly Willoughby over a number of years. He had scoured social media and material online, amassing thousands of images of the star and gaining detailed knowledge of her activity and movements.

Plumb’s plans were violent, graphic and sexually motivated. He began a series of discussions on online forums dating back to 2021 where he engaged in a number of discussions where he discussed his plan to kidnap the presenter from her family home. He had carried out extensive research in order to carry out his plan.

Following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, Plumb was found guilty of all three charges.

During online discussions, Plumb discussed how he would restrain his victim and even purchased equipment to assist him including metal cable ties, ropes and chloroform.

The court heard various voice notes and messages exchanged between Plumb and another man, “Marc”, where they discussed graphic detail about sexual and violent offences they plotted to carry out against the victim.

Plumb explored ways he could get close to the victim, including where she carried out filming, and went so far as to explore the use of an isolated building to take her to.

He also carried out extensive web searches on using chloroform, rape and was part of an online forum dedicated to abducting women.

In October 2023, Plumb continued his discussions about his plot online but did not realise that another man he was seeking to draw into the plot, was in fact an American undercover police officer.

The officer, duly contacted the FBI and British police and Plumb was arrested by Essex Police at his home in Potters Field, Harlow on 4 October 2023.

Upon arrest, officers searched Plumb’s home where they found two bottles of chloroform, the kidnap kit, which included items for use to restrain and harm the intended victim, they also recovered mobile phone devices containing incriminating messages and imagery relating to his plans.

In some messages Plumb told his potential accomplices that he plotted to kidnap his victim at night, using chloroform to incapacitate her, before forcing her to film a video to say she had gone with Plumb of her own ‘free will’.

Jurors were also told that Plumb had a string of previous convictions relating to the false imprisonment and attempted kidnap of women, including two 16-year-old girls.

Essex Police’s Senior investigating officer Det Chief Insp 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. 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. At Essex Police we will continue to do all we can to seek out those intent on causing violence and harm to women and girls and, like this defendant, put them behind bars. There is simply no place for dangerous individuals like him on either the streets of Essex, or wider society, and we will do all we can to continue to make our communities safe for all.”

Plumb was remanded in custody and will reappear at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentence on Friday 12 July.

We're offering more ways for our communities to stay up to date with our work across Essex.

Our e-newsletter, Dispatch, delivers news, information, and advice from Essex Police.

Dispatch is a ‘one stop shop’ for local police news – direct from the source. 

Sign up is completely free and you can unsubscribe at any time.