A security guard who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby has lost his Court of Appeal challenge against his sentence. Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 16 years in July last year after being unanimously convicted of soliciting murder and encouraging or assisting others to rape and kidnap the former This Morning presenter.
The 38-year-old's kidnap plans involved attempting to "ambush" Willoughby at her family home before taking her to a "dungeon"-type room. Mr Justice Murray said that Plumb had an "unhealthy sexual obsession" with Willoughby and described some of his plans as "particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading".
Appeal rejected by court
At Tuesday's hearing, barristers for Plumb argued his sentence was "manifestly excessive" and should be reduced. The Crown Prosecution Service opposed the appeal, telling the London court that the offending had "life-changing consequences" for Willoughby.
Lord Justice Edis, sitting with Mr Justice Martin Spencer and Ms Justice Norton, dismissed the appeal as "ultimately unpersuasive". The judge said that messages containing Plumb's plans were "distressing, even for seasoned professionals, to read" and called the original life sentence "unimpeachable".
He said: "This is a case where the offender clearly is dangerous and where there is no way of knowing when or if ever that will cease to be the case." The original sentencing judge had found that Plumb's plans were far more than mere fantasy.
Detailed planning uncovered
Plumb, who used the online name Big Bear, appeared to formulate his fantasy as early as 2011, googling "how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebs". He told others he would take the presenter to a location he described as a "dungeon" type room, with the jury hearing he had checked out an abandoned stud farm with cells.
His messages revealed plans to rape Willoughby at the location before killing her and putting her "into a lake at night". When arrested on 4 October 2023, Plumb told officers: "I'm not gonna lie, she is a fantasy of mine."
International investigation
Plumb was caught after a US undercover police officer from Minnesota infiltrated an online group called Abduct Lovers. The officer, using the pseudonym David Nelson, became concerned when Plumb said he was "definitely serious" about his plot and felt there was an "imminent threat".
Evidence was passed to the FBI, with US law enforcement then contacting UK police. Essex Police raided Plumb's Harlow flat and found bottles of chloroform and an "abduction kit" complete with cable ties.
Legal arguments heard
At Tuesday's appeal hearing, Plumb's barrister Sasha Wass KC argued the sentence was "far too long and it properly could have been reduced considerably". She claimed there was "no suggestion of lasting psychological harm" to Willoughby.
However, Crown prosecutor Alison Morgan KC maintained that the harm intended was "of the very highest level". She told the court: "What else was the judge to do but conclude that the risk posed by this applicant from the facts of the offending and previous convictions could not be met with anything other than a life sentence?"
Impact on victim
Following the original conviction, Willoughby said in a statement: "As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes." Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC described the offences as having a "catastrophic impact" on the presenter.
Neither Plumb nor Willoughby attended Tuesday's appeal hearing. The original trial at Chelmsford Crown Court had heard how Plumb argued his plans were just online chat and fantasy, but the judge rejected this defence.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
