Willoughby murder plotter fails in sentence appeal

A security guard jailed for plotting to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby has failed in appealing against his sentence.

Gavin Plumb is serving life with a minimum term of 16 years after being convicted of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap of the former This Morning host in July 2024.

Police found bottles of chloroform and a "kidnap kit" complete with cable ties, a ball gag and rope when they raided the 38-year-old's flat in Harlow, Essex.

Judges at the Court of Appeal ruled earlier that Plumb intended harm "of the gravest and highest possible kind" and his sentence was appropriate.

Barristers for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) opposed Plumb's appeal, telling the court in London the offending had "life-changing consequences" for Ms Willoughby.

Sasha Wass KC, for Plumb, argued there was "no suggestion of lasting psychological harm" suffered by the victim, who has also presented I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.

But dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Edis, sitting with Mr Justice Martin Spencer and Ms Justice Norton, said they concluded it was "ultimately unpersuasive".

The judge said Willoughby's death was "specifically contemplated and intended" by Plumb.

Jurors in Plumb's trial at Chelmsford Crown Court heard his "ultimate fantasy" was to ambush Ms Willoughby at her home and bring sexualised violence against her at a "dungeon"-type room.

Plumb searched online for "how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebs" and messages he sent suggested he would murder the victim and put her "into a lake at night".

He was arrested in October 2023 after being snared by an undercover police officer from the US, who infiltrated an online group used by Plumb called Abduct Lovers.

Plumb told the officer he was "definitely serious" about his plot against Ms Willoughby, leaving the officer fearing there was an "imminent threat" to her.

The officer passed evidence to the FBI, leading to US law enforcement then contacting police in the UK.

Plumb argued from the witness box during his trial that his comments were just online chat and fantasy, but admitted they were "dark".

Sentencing Plumb, Mr Justice Murray described some of his plans as "particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading", and said he had "no doubt that this was all considerably more than a fantasy".

After the jury delivered its verdicts, Ms 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."

Essex Police discovered a "kidnap kit" consisting of hand and ankle shackles, rope, 400 metal cable ties and bottles of chloroform.

Plumb did not attend his appeal hearing either in person or remotely from prison.

His barrister argued he was serving a sentence that was "far too long and it properly could have been reduced considerably".

However, CPS barrister Alison Morgan KC said: "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?"

Delivering the appeal judges' ruling, Lord Justice Edis said Plumb was "obsessed" with Ms Willoughby.

He described Plumb's plans as "horrifying", adding: "They are distressing even for seasoned professionals to read."