Security guard who plotted to rape and murder British TV host Holly Willoughby gets life sentence

A security guard who planned to kidnap, rape, and murder British television presenter Holly Willoughby, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years. The man identified as Gavin Plumb, 37, was found guilty after an eight-day trial.

He has been charged with soliciting murder, encouraging or assisting in the commission of kidnapping, and encouraging or assisting in the commission of rape, according to BBC.

Plumb had shared his plans in an online group chat called “Abduct Lovers” and even considered taking time off work to prepare for the attack. His plot was discovered by a United States undercover police officer who infiltrated the chat and alerted the FBI. Subsequently, Essex police officers raided Plumb’s flat in north London and found an “abduction kit” containing cable ties and bottles of chloroform.

Holly Willoughby, a well-known television personality in the UK, decided to leave This Morningon October 10 following Plumb's initial arrest.

"I've let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning," she announced on Instagram. Willoughby expressed her gratitude to her coworkers, viewers, and guests for their support over the years. "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 wrote, adding, "I will miss you all so much."

Despite her departure from This Morning, Willoughby returned to ITV in January to co-host the channel’s series Dancing on Ice.

Judge Edward Murray of Chelmsford Crown Court described Plumb’s plans as “horrifying, shocking, and graphic in detail,” noting that they were too disturbing to be shared in open court and were instead revealed privately to the jury. He called the plans “particularly sadistic, brutal, and degrading” and emphasized that they were more than mere fantasy.

“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,” Justice Murray said during sentencing.