A 37-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison on Friday (July 12) for plotting to kidnap, rape, and murder British TV personality Holly Willoughby. During the sentencing hearing at the Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Edward Murray told Gavin Plumb, 37, that he would have to serve a minimum term of 16 years before he could be eligible for parole.

A 37-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison on Friday (July 12) for plotting to kidnap, rape, and murder British TV personality Holly Willoughby. During the sentencing hearing at the Chelmsford Crown Court, Judge Edward Murray told Gavin Plumb, 37, that he would have to serve a minimum term of 16 years before he could be eligible for parole. Plumb, a former security guard, was found guilty by a jury last week following an eight-day trial. “Over a number of years, you pursued an unhealthy sexual obsession with Holly Willoughby that led you ultimately to plan over that period to kidnap, to rape, and to murder her,” Judge Murray told Plumb. Murray also pointed out that the 37-year-old had intended to harm Willoughby's husband and her children. The kidnapping plan A report by the news agency Associated Press on Friday said that Plumb’s kidnap plans, as fleshed out in vivid detail in an online chat group, involved attempting to “ambush” Willoughby at her family home. Also read | UK crossbow attack: Man suspected of killing 3 women formally arrested He had even discussed taking time off work in order to organise the attack. The 37-year-old's plans were so “horrifying, shocking and graphic in detail” that they were not shared in open court, according to Judge Murray. The judge added that these plans were “particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading.” Willoughby, 43, has for years been one of the most high-profile television personalities in the United Kingdom. Case cracked by an undercover cop The Associated Press report said that Plumb was snared after a United States undercover police officer infiltrated an online group called “Abduct Lovers” and became so concerned about Plumb’s posts that evidence was passed to the FBI. Plumb told the officer, who was using the pseudonym David Nelson, that he was “definitely serious” about his plot to kidnap Willoughby, leaving the officer with the impression that there was an “imminent threat” to her. American law enforcement in turn contacted their counterparts in the UK, and when Essex police officers raided Plumb’s flat in north London they found bottles of chloroform and an “abduction kit” complete with cable ties. (With inputs from agencies)

Man arrested over plot to rape, murder British TV personality Holly Willoughby

holly-willoughby-case

Holly Willoughby Case, News on Holly Willoughby Case, stories on Holly Willoughby Case, articles on Holly Willoughby Case, Holly Willoughby Case stories at Wion, Holly Willoughby Case news, Holly Willoughby Case latest news

holly willoughby-case

Man arrested over plot to rape, murder British TV personality Holly Willoughby