Man convicted for planned murder of TV star
A 37-year-old security guard has been sentenced to life in prison for a sadistic and brutal plan. He intended to kidnap, rape, and murder the former host of a British morning show, Holly Willoughby. A undercover US investigator uncovered the plot. Now, the man must spend at least 16 years in prison.
According to PA news agency, a man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for planning to kidnap and murder British television host Holly Willoughby. The 37-year-old Gavin Plumb from Harlow, Essex will serve a minimum of 16 years in prison. He allegedly planned to kidnap, rape, and murder Willoughby.
"There is no doubt that you - if you had found one or more accomplices (...) - would have carried out your plan," PA quoted the judge. Willoughby had long hosted the TV show "This Morning" and presents "Dancing on Ice."
The case had serious consequences for her life, argued the prosecution. Crimes of this nature, as Willoughby stated in a declaration, have far-reaching effects on women. "Women should not feel unsafe when going about their daily lives."
Undercover investigator discovered the plot on the internet
The judge classified Plumb as dangerous and described the plan as "particularly sadistic, brutal, and degrading." The perpetrator had been sexually obsessed with Willoughby for a long time. Part of his plan was to cause harm to her children and husband.
He had been convicted before, for instance, for threatening sexual violence against young women. Plumb will now serve at least 15 years and 85 days, as reported by the BBC. This time in custody before the trial is taken into account.
The investigators became aware of the man after a undercover investigator from the US, concerned about his contributions in an online group, reported tips to the FBI. The US investigator had contacted Plumb in the online chatroom "Abduct Lovers" and pretended to be a accomplice. Unknowingly, the guard revealed his plans to the investigator. The US authorities then contacted the police in the UK. The man was arrested in the fall of 2023.
The plans of the convicted individual were not limited to the United Kingdom, as it was revealed that he had also discussed similar acts of sexualized violence against women in an international context.
The United Nations has condemned the increase in cases of sexual abuse on television platforms, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations and policies to protect individuals, particularly women, from such harm.
Following his sentencing, the case of Gavin Plumb has sparked international discussions about the role of media in preventing and addressing such incidents of sexualized violence.
