Man who plotted to murder TV host Holly Willoughby sentenced to life: Reports
Gavin Plumb, the security guard who planned to kidnap, rape and murder "This Morning" TV host Holly Willoughby during a home invasion, has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 16 years, according to reports.
After an eight-day trial, Plumb, 37, was found guilty of soliciting murder, encouraging or assisting the commission of a kidnapping and encouraging or assisting the commission of rape, according to The Guardian and the BBC.
He posted these plans in an online group chat called “Abduct Lovers” and considered taking time off work to prepare for the attack, The Guardian reported.
He was circumvented by a United States undercover police officer who infiltrated the online chat and reported Plumb’s posts to the FBI, according to The Guardian. After being contacted by US law enforcement, Essex police officers raided Plumb’s flat in north London and found an “abduction kit” with cable ties and bottles of chloroform, The Guardian and The Telegraph reported.
Willoughby had been one of the United Kingdom’s most notable television personalities for years, but quit "This Morning" on Oct. 10 after Plumb's initial arrest.
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"I've let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to 'This Morning,'" she announced on Instagram. "To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much. This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we've done together."
The TV host went on to thank her co-workers for “being supportive” along with their “wonderful viewers” and guests for being “the best company every day.”
"I know this story has many chapters left to go. Sadly, however, I now feel I have to make this decision for me and my family," she concluded. "I will miss you all so much."
Willoughby returned to ITV to co-host the channel’s series “Dancing on Ice” in January.
Judge Edward Murray of Chelmsford Crown Court said Plumb’s plans were too “horrifying, shocking and graphic in detail” to be shared in open court and were shared privately with the jury instead, according to the outlets.
He added that they were “particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading” and were certainly “more than a fantasy.”
In his sentencing, Justice Murray said, “There is no doubt that if you had genuinely found one or more accomplices who were seriously interested in and had been willing to join you in carrying your plan through then you would have put this plan into action.”