UK
Jurors shown ‘kidnap kit’ in trial of Holly Willoughby abduction plot accused Gavin Plumb
Jurors have been shown the “kidnap kit” a security guard allegedly planned to use to abduct, rape and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby.
Gavin Plumb, 37, bought the items, including hand and ankle shackles, a ball gag, rope, metal cable ties and handcuffs online, Chelmsford Crown Court has heard.
Prosecutors say he had an “obsession” with former This Morning host Willoughby, 43, and planned to use the kit, shown to jurors on Tuesday, to carry out an attack on her.
Plumb, from Harlow, in Essex, was arrested on 4 October last year after he outlined his alleged plans to kidnap, repeatedly rape and murder the presenter to an undercover US police officer, based in Minnesota, who alerted authorities in the UK, the jury has been told.
On the third day of his trial, the jury today continued to be shown material from a “sequence of events”, including hundreds of communications he had with others online as he tried to assemble a “crew” to help him.
Pics: CPS/BBC
In May 2022, Plumb discussed booking a tour of the ITV studios, telling a man known as Marc, who is believed to have been based in Ireland: “I’m calling the studio tours tomorrow to see if they’re still available and if you meet presenters.”
But Essex Police Detective Constable Will Belsham told the jury there was no evidence to show he ever followed through with the plan.
Plumb later suggested he would use his security training to get a job with Willoughby, saying: “I have passed my SIA (Security Industry Authority) licence so might try to use it to become her security guard.”
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In other messages, Plumb talked about buying realistic-looking air weapons “from pistols to sniper rifles” to carry out a “home raid” to attack her, as well as targeting other celebrities.
His discussions included using chloroform to stupefy Willoughby and her husband, the television producer Dan Baldwin, before tying them up, abducting her and slitting her throat, the court has heard.
He also described an abandoned stud farm in the country where he could “keep” Willoughby.
Plumb denies charges of soliciting murder, incitement to kidnap and incitement to rape between December 2021 and October last year. The court has heard he is expected to claim it was all a fantasy.
Gavin Plumb is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Court. Pic: PA/Elizabeth Cook
Earlier in the trial, the jury was told Plumb has previous convictions for trying to abduct two women on trains and for using a knife to falsely imprison two 16-year-old girls – including one whose hands he tied behind her back.
Willoughby, who is not attending the trial, has waived her automatic right to anonymity, to which all alleged victims of sexual offences or related charges are entitled.
She announced in October last year that she was stepping down from This Morning after 14 years on the ITV show, but has since hosted Dancing On Ice 2024, and is also due to present a Netflix show.
The trial continues on Wednesday.