Holly Willoughby has spoken out after the man who plotted to kidnap, R@P3and MURD3Rher was found guilty.

Gavin Plumb from Essex wept at Chelmsford Crown Court as a jury of eight women and four men found him guilty of all charges. Mr Plumb was arrested after undercover police officers in America contacted The Metropolitan Police after engaging in conversations with Plumb. In a statement, Holly thanked the US undercover police officer for helping foil Gavin Plumb’s plot as well as the Crown Prosecution Service and everyone involved in convicting her potential kidnapper.

She said: “As women, we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes. I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response. Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.

“I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.” The jury found Plumb guilty on one count of soliciting MURD3R, one count of plotting to kidnap and one count of plotting to R@P3. Plumb slumped forward as the first of the three guilty verdicts was handed down. Shaking his head, he then began to weep and sniff before being led away.

Holly has spoken out in an emotional statement ( 
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Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Gavin Plumb was found guilty of plotting to kidnap, R@P3and MURD3Rthe TV presenter ( 

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PA)

Prior to being found guilty, Plumb had denied all allegations made against him. Plumb is due to be sentenced next Friday at the same court by Justice Edward Murray who is expected to hear a statement from Holly outlining how Plumb’s crimes impacted her and her family.

Speaking outside court Det Chief Insp Greg Wood said: “I’ve got no doubt that Gavin Plumb is a really dangerous individual who carefully thought out a plan to find out where the victim lived, how to get there, purchased significant items online and tried to find someone like-minded to carry out those plans.

“The risk that he posed was real. It wasn’t just online chat, it was planned for a number of years to kidnap, R@P3and MURD3RHolly Willoughby.” Holly announced soon after Plumb’s arrest in October last year that she was stepping down from This Morning after 14 years on the ITV show. She said in a social media post at the time she felt “I have to make this decision for me and my family”.

Nicola Rice, a specialist prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service, said outside court today: “Gavin Plumb is a dangerous man who plotted unspeakable violence against one of the nation’s most familiar faces. Despite his attempts to pass himself off as a harmless fantasist, the prosecution persuaded the jury that Plumb posed a very real threat.

Plumb had allegedly purchased chloroform which he says would have made it easier to restrain Holly and her husband Dan Baldwin ( 
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PA)

Plumb purchased several items including a ball gag, hand and ankle shackles and metal cable ties ( 

Image:
PA)
“The chilling details of his plans were laid bear with the help of an undercover officer from the US who alerted the FBI to the threat, and the seriousness of Plumb’s scheme was exposed when the prosecution successfully applied to tell the jury about Plumb’s previous convictions. I hope his conviction brings some comfort to Holly Willoughby and her family and shows others that the Crown Prosecution Service will always seek the strongest possible charges against those who plot violence against women.”

During his conversations with undercover officers, Plumb showed contact with imitation firearms and a video of his “kit” which he would use, consisting of hand and ankle shackles, a ball gag, rope, metal cable ties and handcuffs. He is also alleged to have purchased chloroform he stated would be used on Holly and her husband, Dan Baldwin.

He described his plan as his “ultimate fantasy”, adding: “Fantasy isn’t enough any more. I want the real thing.” In December 2022, Plumb set out his plans for once he got into Holly’s home, including using metal ties to restrain her and incapacitating her husband, Dan Baldwin. And in March 2023, he said in a voicemail to a man called Marc he met online: “Plan of action? we’re gonna hit it hard, hit it at night, less traffic on the road.

“Chloroform both of them that way then they can both be easily restrained. Pick out outfits of hers that we like and then obviously take her and the outfits with us and then we’re gone.” Plumb later sent images to Marc of an order that he had made for chloroform and a bottle was found by police at the home of the accused in Harlow, Essex.