Convicted Violent Offender’s Obsession with TV Presenter Led to Foiled Abduction Scheme

Gavin Plumb, a 37-year-old convicted violent offender, planned to abduct, rape, and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby but was stopped by an undercover police officer in the US, a court heard.

Plumb had been obsessively following Willoughby for years, collecting over 10,000 images of her, including deepfake pornography. He meticulously planned to kidnap her from her home in London, take her to an abandoned building in Essex, and murder her.

Unbeknownst to Plumb, one of the individuals he communicated with online was an undercover officer from the Owatonna police department in Minnesota. The officer, monitoring a group focused on abductions, alerted UK authorities, leading to Plumb’s arrest on October 4, 2023.

Plumb had a history of violent offenses, including previous attempts at kidnap and false imprisonment. His detailed plans were revealed through disturbing online exchanges, which included discussing the use of chloroform and a “stakeout” for the attack.

In response to being charged, Plumb admitted to the fantasy but denied the charges. He faces multiple serious charges, including soliciting murder, encouraging kidnap, and assisting in the commission of rape.