A security guard who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby has reportedly been found with photos of the TV presenter in his prison cell. Gavin Plumb was jailed for life with a minimum of 16 years following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court in 2024. He was unanimously convicted of soliciting murder and inciting the rape and kidnap of the former This Morning presenter.
The 39-year-old is now said to have hidden a trove of pictures underneath his mattress at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire. It is understood that the images of Willoughby that Plumb allegedly possessed in prison came from magazines, according to a report in The Sun. He is said to have lost certain privileges, including the right to use the TV, as a result of the discovery.
A source told the publication: 'Plumb is still obsessed with Holly. He should not have been allowed access to images of her. Plumb was going round and collecting TV magazines from other inmates on his landing and scouring them for pictures of Holly. No one was that surprised because Plumb makes no attempt to hide his obsession with her.'
Plumb was caught after an undercover US police officer infiltrated an online group called Abduct Lovers and became so concerned about his posts that evidence was passed to the FBI. US law enforcement then contacted police in the UK. When Essex Police officers raided Plumb's flat in Harlow, they found bottles of chloroform and an 'abduction kit' complete with cable ties.
During his sentencing, Mr Justice Edward Murray told Plumb: 'There is no doubt that if you had genuinely found one or more accomplices who were seriously interested in and willing to join you in carrying your plan through then you would have put this plan into action.' He continued: '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. You intended to harm her husband and her children as part of your plan.'
The judge added that Plumb had discussed 'in hideous and revolting detail' on chatrooms the 'prolonged sexual violence' he intended to inflict on Willoughby after abducting her, concluding: 'I found you to be dangerous.'
Metro contacted Holly Willoughby's representative for comment on this story.
