Holly Willoughby’s twisted stalker fights his jail sentence! Gavin Plumb, convicted for plotting to kidnap, rape, and murder the beloved TV presenter, is now launching an appeal against his conviction and 16-year minimum sentence. If the appeal gets the green light, the Court of Appeal Criminal Division will hear it.
Stalker’s sick plan exposed by undercover cop
Plumb’s vile scheme came to light thanks to a US undercover officer on a monitoring forum called “Abduct Lovers.” The twisted plot involved a “dungeon-style” prison and a “restraint kit” filled with hand and ankle cuffs, ball gags, metal ties, and ropes. He even planned to subject Holly to repeated assaults before murder.
Despite the damning evidence, Plumb denied soliciting murder, rape, or kidnap throughout the trial. His barrister, Sasha Wass KC, claimed he lacked the “means nor opportunity” to carry out his fantasy, dismissing his messages as “the ramblings of a rather sad individual.”
Judge slams plot as ‘brutal and degrading’
Mr Justice Edward Murray gave Plumb concurrent life sentences with a minimum term of 16 years, deducting time served. The judge labelled the plan “particularly brutal and degrading,” adding Plumb’s “gross obesity” might have made success unlikely—if he hadn’t found stronger accomplices.
The court withheld Holly Willoughby’s victim statement from public view, citing the “life-changing impact” Plumb’s actions had on her. Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC stressed the victim’s wish to keep the statement private.
Plumb’s dark past
Essex Police swooped on Plumb last October. Initially feigning ignorance, he later admitted Holly was a “fantasy” he obsessed over. The 1, Essex man has a sinister criminal record, including convictions for attempted kidnap and false imprisonment of four women in separate incidents.
Appeal braces for tough fight
With Holly having waived anonymity regarding the charges linked to rape encouragement, Plumb’s appeal will be closely watched. This disturbing case highlights the dangers of online radicalisation and the vital role of international police cooperation in nabbing perpetrators before they strike.
