Security guard jailed for life over plot to rape and murder TV star Holly Willoughby

A security guard has been sentenced over a plot to kidnap, rape and murder British television star Holly Willoughby.

A security guard has been jailed for life over a plot to kidnap, rape and murder British television presenter Holly Willoughby after growing obsessed with the star.

Gavin Plumb, 37, hatched the sinister plan to ambush his so-called “fantasy” Holly at her home and “stupefy” her using chloroform, The Sun reports.

The 35st security guard then wanted to tie the star up and take her to a “dungeon” where her screams would not be heard “for miles”.

His twisted plans were only foiled when he divulged all the chilling details to an undercover cop on a site called Abduct Lovers.

Plumb was today jailed after being convicted of soliciting murder, incitement to kidnap and incitement to rape.

He was handed three concurrent life sentences – one for each of the offences – with a minimum term of 15 years.

British TV personality Holly Willoughby. Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Plumb will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life and has also been handed a restraining order.

Holly, 43, bravely waived her anonymity in regards to the incitement to rape count so that she could be named in court.

The plot had a “catastrophic and life-changing impact” on her, the court heard in Plumb’s sentencing hearing today.

Jurors were told Plumb began obsessing over the former This Morning star when his weight ballooned to 35 stone (222kg).

As he was housebound, he began watching more daytime TV, which led to Plumb developing a “celebrity crush” on Holly.

This turned sinister when Plumb set his sights on snatching the presenter after spending years researching kidnapping celebs.

The security guard had made previous abduction attempts – targeting two cabin crew workers on a train as air stewardesses were a “fantasy” of his.

He also tied up a 16-year-old girl at knifepoint but was freed from jail for that disturbing offence in 2010.

Following his release, Plumb spent “99.9 per cent” of his time online – trawling through creepy websites for an accomplice as he formulated his Holly kidnap plot.

Gavin Plumb has been jailed over a plot to kidnap Holly Willoughby. Picture: Essex Police

He collected a cache of millions of images of the presenter and other female celebrities.

Plumb also tracked Holly’s movements and activities for “some time” as he gathered intel on her security arrangements.

At one stage, he even considered booking a tour to the ITV studios that would involve meeting presenters.

He discussed the plot with an accomplice named Marc, telling him: “I’m at the point where idc (I don’t care) about the risks or consequences.”

In voice notes between the pair, Plumb told how they could strike in the dead of night – using chloroform on Holly and her husband Dan Baldwin to knock them out.

The security guard also said the “home invasion” plan would guarantee that “Phil will get a new co-host” – referring to Holly’s former This Morning co-host Phillip Schofield.

As his ideas began to take shape, Plumb ordered 400 “heavy duty” cable ties from Amazon for a “restraint kit”.

He also purchased two £9.20 ($18) bottles of chloroform, handcuffs, shackles and a gag – with a chilling image showing all the instruments laid out on his bed.

But greedy Plumb could not resist sharing the secret plot with another person – undercover police officer David Nelson.

This Morning co-hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield pictured in 2020. Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

In alarming one-on-one chats, he shared videos of the kit and a map showing the route between his house in Essex and Holly’s home.

Plumb also used the alias “BigBear” to post pictures of the star on the shocking Abduct Lovers website.

Believing the plan was a “credible” one, Nelson contacted both the FBI and police, who swooped on Plumb’s home in October last year.

Footage showed the officers being greeted by a topless Plumb, who told them Holly was a “fantasy of mine”.

He also demanded “what are you talking about?” and asked officers “what the hell was going on”.

Plumb was holding a mobile at the time, which he refused to hand over a pin for as officers didn’t “need to know that now”.

Having heard that police would search his house, Plumb said: “I mean based on what you’ve said I can pretty much guess what you’re looking for.”

He later added: “As I said, it’s totally taken me by surprise. I know what it’s about, I can tell you, I reckon, I, I know what it’s about.”

Plumb then answered no comment to all questions in two police interviews after he was taken into custody.

Ms Willoughby stepped down from the show after 14 years shortly after Plumb’s arrest. Picture: ITV

Holly meanwhile had been just moments away from going on air for This Morning when she was told about the sick plot.

The mum-of-three, 43, announced later that month she was stepping down from the show after 14 years.

She said in a social media post at the time: “I have to make this decision for me and my family.”

The star previously told how she will be “forever grateful” to those who foiled the evil plot following the verdict.

Holly added: “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.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission