Essex Streets Safer as Predator Receives Life Sentence for Plotting Against TV Star
The Essex community breathes a sigh of relief as a significant threat is neutralised following the life sentencing of a dangerous individual who harboured sinister intentions towards television presenter Holly Willoughby.
Source: Youtube – Essex County Police
Conviction and Sentencing
Source: Youtube- Essex County Police
After an intensive investigation by Essex Police’s Major Crime Team, 37-year-old Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years at Chelmsford Crown Court. Plumb was found guilty of plotting grievous crimes against Willoughby, including kidnapping, rape, and murder.
The Obsession That Turned Dangerous
Plumb’s fixation on Willoughby evolved dangerously over several years. He meticulously collected her images and tracked her movements. His prior convictions for kidnapping and attempted kidnapping underscored his capability for carrying out his plots.
“Today Gavin Plumb starts a life sentence, with a minimum of 16 years behind bars, and the streets of Essex are safer for woman and girls as a result. He is a dangerous individual with a history of kidnapping, attempting to kidnap, and plotting to kidnap women and girls. In this case he went further and intended to rape and murder his victim. He tried to claim throughout the trial that he was an obsessive fan and a fantasist – that is simply not true. He planned this attack on Ms Willoughby over a two-year period, scoping her movements, seeking to elicit help from others to carry out his wicked plan, buying chloroform and other items to incapacitate, restrain and inflict violence upon her. He is no fantasist – he’s a calculated, violent, sexual predator who has spent his adult life inflicting or plotting to inflict harm on women,” said Det Chief Insp Greg Wood.
Undercover Operations and Arrest
Plumb’s heinous intentions were disrupted by an undercover American police officer who infiltrated the online forum “Abduct Lovers” where Plumb was active. The officer’s timely intervention led to collaborative efforts with the FBI and Essex Police, culminating in Plumb’s arrest at his residence in October 2023.
Judicial Remarks
During sentencing, Judge Mr Justice Murray commended Holly Willoughby for her bravery and clarified the gravity of Plumb’s intentions, emphasising the need for the life sentence due to the severe risk Plumb posed to women.
“Today I pay tribute to Ms Willoughby and the other women who have been victims of Plumb. The courage and bravery of all of them to support our investigations and prosecutions – now and previously – have helped us to protect other women and girls – thank you to all of them. This case has brought violence against women and girls and misogyny to the fore. It has demonstrated that all of us, whoever we are and whatever we do, have much to do to stamp out this scourge on our society. It cannot be right that men like Gavin Plumb are able to join online forums where they vent their hatred towards women and girls and plot to harm them. In this case our American colleague ensured we were able to bring Plumb to justice, but we need everyone to stand up to call out misogyny and to report those committing or intent on committing violence towards women and girls,” DCI Wood elaborated.
As Plumb begins his long sentence, the community reflects on the importance of vigilance and the continued efforts needed to combat misogyny and violence against women.
source: Essex County Police
