Holly Willoughby murder plotter had '130 other names on his list' in chilling revelation
Holly Willoughby murder plotter had '130 other names on his list' in chilling revelation
A new Channel 5 documentary is set to explore the terrifying case of Gavin Plumb, who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby, and had a list of more than 130 potential victims
Last year, jurors heard how Plumb had been planning the terrifying attack since 2021
(Image: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty I )
A man who conspired to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby reportedly had over 130 other individuals on his list of potential victims.
In a new documentary by Channel 5, Philip Grindell, a former Metropolitan Police officer with 30 years of service, discusses the case of Gavin Plumb, a 37-year-old man from Essex who planned to abduct, sexually assault and kill the ex-This Morning presenter.
Last year, the court heard how Plumb had been planning this horrifying attack since 2021, having developed an obsession with the celebrity over the years. Chelmsford Crown Court sentenced Plumb to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 16 years.
Plumb, who discussed his kidnap plans online, having joined forums like one titled 'Abduct Lovers', reportedly had thousands of pictures of Holly on his phone and had gathered information on her movements.
Philip detailed how the police received information that Plumb was a threat after he posted his plans on the internet. He also highlighted an "immediate red flag" when Plumb, who has prior convictions for attempted kidnapping, mentioned murder.
Gavin Plumb reportedly had more than 130 names on his list of potential targets
(Image: PA )
Article continues below
It was proposed that the security guard, hailing from Harlow, Essex, intended to employ "serious violence", and when the police raided his residence, his unlocked phone enabled them to "make an assessment". However, what they discovered next was equally disturbing.
Philip revealed the extent of the suspect's disturbing behaviour: "And so when they were able to look at his mobile phone and see images that he'd saved of Holly Willoughby - I think it's over, you know, 10,000 or something - it allows them very quickly to make an assessment.
"They're in the right place; it's the right person. They know they're on the right track. During the search, they find a list in his bedside cabinet, which has over 130 names on it, of people he is also interested in or has some fixation on.
"At that stage, they won't know how much of a fixation, which ones he's targeting. Are any of those other people at greater risk? You don't know who else he's engaging with. Does he have co-conspirators? Who's at risk here?".
In a press release issued last year, Essex Police described how Plumb spoke online about his intentions to restrain his victim and even bought chloroform, cable ties and ropes.
Philip explained how police received intelligence that Plumb posed a threat after he shared his plans online
(Image: Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images )
An undercover officer from the US acted decisively, alerting the FBI and the UK authorities about Plumb's heinous intentions after he tried to enlist the officer's help with his plot online.
Plumb, who was arrested at his home in 2023, will serve at least 15 years and 85 days in prison, due to the time he spent on remand prior to his trial, reports the BBC.
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood from Essex Police spoke out, stating: "He tried to claim throughout the trial that he was an obsessive fan and a fantasist – that is simply not true.
Article continues below
"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."
The Plot To Kill Holly Willoughby, Thursday 1st May at 9pm. Watch | Stream on 5.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Sport star's 'beautiful' daughter 'dismissed multiple times' before death
Amy James died a day after being admitted to hospital. The daughter of a cricket star was "dismissed" by doctors multiple times before she died in hospital. Amy James died a day after being admitted to hospital, an inquest has heard. The 21-year-old, daughter of former England cricketer Steve James, was admitted to hospital on February 8, 2020. She passed away on February 9. Ex-Glamorgan star James, a highly respected sports journalist, was covering Wales' Six Nations match in Ireland when she took seriously ill. Weather delays meant he was unable to return home to see her before she died. Today, an inquest into her death opened on Tuesday at Pontypridd coroner's court. Wales Online reports it heard how Bethan had visited hospital on several occasions prior to February 8. Her doting mother, Jane James, told the inquest that her daughter was 'dismissed' by multiple medics and that 'her life could have been saved'. Speaking in person at the inquest Jane James described Bethan as a 'caring' and 'beautiful' person who always put others before herself. She explained that Bethan had suffered with gastrointestinal issues throughout most of her life, before she was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2019 at the age of 20. Mrs James said her daughter took her diagnosis with 'great maturity'. Prior to her death Mrs James said Bethan had been studying journalism at the University of South Wales. She dreamed of being a voice for those with Crohn's and related illnesses. It was heard how Bethan had started a vlog account where she documented her experience of the condition, before she became involved in a BBC documentary with Amy Dowden, who is also diagnosed with the condition. The documentary sadly aired after Bethan's death. The programme was dedicated to her memory. Paying tribute to her daughter Mrs James said: "As a person she never moaned, she never made a fuss. She was very caring. She was just beautiful. She put people before herself. She was more interested in other people and their stories and I think that's why she would have made a brilliant journalist." Mrs James told the inquest about the heartbreaking events that led up to her daughter's death. She explained how on Saturday, January 25, 2020 her daughter had been out in town with a friend when she complained of feeling tired and having shortness of breath. Mrs James said they decided to book her daughter in for an emergency appointment with her GP on Monday, January 27. The inquest heard that her GP, Dr Jonathan Carnell, was concerned about Bethan and set up an urgent referral at Llandough hospital for her respiratory symptoms to be investigated. It was heard that discharge summary notes from the appointment on January 28 read that Bethan was likely suffering from 'community acquired pneumonia'. She was given antibiotics and discharged. However, Mrs James said this diagnosis was not verbally relayed to her or her daughter by medics at the hospital. She said: "They didn't tell her 'community acquired pneumonia'. We sat in the waiting area and they said they think she may have a chest infection and that she should take antibiotics as a precaution." She added that if the word 'pneumonia' had been used it would have struck the family as more sinister in that early stage of her illness developing. The following day, on Tuesday, Mrs James said her daughter was determined to go to university to deliver a presentation that was important to her. Bethan was well enough to drive herself to university, but was 'absolutely exhausted' by the time she got home, it was heard. She developed numbness in her right arm and continued feeling short of breath, the inquest was told. Over the next few days Bethan developed more symptoms including involuntary movements in her right arm and difficulties using her right arm and hand. It was heard how she struggled to hold a cup and had problems holding her arm above her head. In addition it was heard how Bethan was suffering abdominal pain and nausea to the point of being unable to 'tolerate food '. 'On Tuesday she could drive, and by Sunday she couldn't hold a cup in her hand,' Mrs James told the inquest. Due to her worsening symptoms Mrs James said she took her daughter to accident and emergency (A&E) at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, February 2. Mrs James said she clearly remembers the day, including telling the triage nurse about the previous appointment in Llandough. In response, she said the nurse was 'abrupt' which upset her daughter. She explained how Bethan was seen by one particular doctor who was 'dismissive' of her chest symptoms. She said he did not think it was of 'any significance'. She said he spoke to A&E consultant Dr Chen Wen Ngua for advice as well as to neurology registrar Dr Mark Willis. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. It was heard how the outcome of this hospital trip was that Bethan's symptoms were likely the result of a hemiplegic migraine. Mrs James said: 'I don't feel on the 2nd that they fully assessed her.' Mrs James became emotional when she described how on Monday, February 3, her daughter had collapsed because she was 'so exhausted' from being at hospital. Following this Mrs James said an ambulance was called and although paramedics arrived her daughter said she did not want to go to hospital, having felt dismissed by various medics and exhausted by the hours of waiting around she had already endured. It was heard how paramedics noted that Bethan's heart rate was high, but that she couldn't be forced to go to hospital. Two days later, on Wednesday, February 5, Bethan's symptoms persisted in her right arm, and she had also developed numbness and issues with her right leg. Myself and my husband knew we needed to do something to try and find out what was going on,' Mrs James told the inquest. She said they took her back to A&E at the University Hospital of Wales. During this visit Mrs James said they encountered Dr Ngua for the second time. She described him as "very, very dismissive" of her daughter and recalled that he told her daughter words to the effect of: 'You again! You were here on Sunday.' He said on reflection Bethan's high heart rate could have been investigated further. Mrs James said while in the hospital waiting area a medic came and did an observation of her daughter. During this, she explained how her heart rate appeared unusually high. Mrs James said the medic assumed that the machine was broken, but that the family believe it was more likely that Bethan was being dismissed and that her heart rate really was that high. Coroner Patricia Morgan asked Mrs James whether she thinks her daughter should have been admitted at this point. 'Definitely,' she said. 'She was so unwell. They didn't appreciate how unwell she was.' Mrs James added that it was only when she threatened to contact health board seniors that medics agreed to arrange a follow up appointment with neurology. Meanwhile, Bethan could 'barely walk out of the hospital,' she said. The family was advised to return to the hospital the following morning for the neurology referral, Mrs James said. However, upon their arrival she said there was 'no record' of the referral appointment and that medics had 'no idea' why they were there. She described this as 'appalling'. Mrs James said: 'Again her heart rate was off the scale and they said the machine was not working - it probably was just her heart rate and it was dismissed again.' Mrs James added that throughout the assessment, which was with Dr Willis, her daughter's respiratory symptoms were not investigated. She noted a comment made by Mr Willis that she found inappropriate during the assessment. She said: 'He said he had seen a 17-year-old girl with similar symptoms and that she is now symptom free and fine. I have no idea how he could say this to Bethan without diagnosing her.' She said Dr Willis did organise for blood tests to happen that day, but that Bethan was so dehydrated by the time that these came about that medics could not draw blood. Bethan was advised to get these done at her GP instead. Mrs James added: 'I felt they just wanted Bethan out of there as soon as possible.' Speaking during the inquest Dr Willis said he made the comment in an attempt to show compassion and reassure Mrs James. He added: 'I'm sorry to hear Mrs James feels she wasn't listened to.' Answering questions from the family's advocate, Richard Booth, Dr Willis said it was unusual for neurology assessments to result in hospital admission. He said when examining Bethan he found only mild weakness in her right arm. He addressed that neurological symptoms of the nature experienced by Bethan were rare in cases of sepsis. On Saturday, February 8, Mrs James said her daughter had been in bed all afternoon. By the afternoon she said she was watching rugby with her daughter and trying to encourage her to eat. By 4pm Mrs James said her daughter 'looked dreadful' with bags under her eyes and nails so pale she thought she was wearing white nail polish. On a number of occasions Mrs James recalled asking if she could call for an ambulance, but in response her daughter reiterated that Dr Willis said she would soon be fine. However, she called 999 that evening. The first person to arrive was a rapid response paramedic named Paul Humphries. Mrs James said Mr Humphries could not record Bethan's blood pressure properly. In hindsight Mrs James said she now knows this is a sign of sepsis. She said the 'signs' of sepsis were 'right in front' of Mr Humphries. The inquest heard how initially Mr Humphries called for a P3 ambulance response, which refers to a low priority. He later escalated this to a P2. Mrs James said: 'I don't know why someone doesn't get a P1 when they are so unwell.' Speaking during the inquest Mr Humphries said in hindsight he believes he dealt with Bethan appropriately. He added: 'I didn't come away from that incident thinking I did a bad job.' When the ambulance turned up Mrs James said she didn't sense any 'rush' to get her daughter to hospital. She finally arrived at 7.45pm following a 12 minute journey, it was heard. Mrs James described that on arrival at the University Hospital of Wales they had to wait in the ambulance outside the hospital for some time. She said they 'now know' there was a bed available, claiming her daughter wasn't 'deemed unwell enough' to have it. At 8.10pm Ms James was triaged before she went down to resus at 9.15pm. Mrs James said it occurred to her that her daughter was only at this point going down to where she needed to be to receive help, some three hours after the ambulance had been called. She described there being 'chaos' at the hospital as medics struggled to administer a line into Bethan, and with nobody clearly in charge of her care. Mrs James said she believes it should have been administered in her daughter's neck instead for easier access, or that she should have been taken down to intensive care. All the while this was ongoing Mrs James said her daughter was awake, could 'hardly breathe' and was 'so scared'. After some time Mrs James said an anaesthetist came down and Bethan was put to sleep. Mrs James said she felt that with that her daughter's body lost its ability to fight. She said she was asked to leave at around 9.25pm before she was told her daughter had a cardiac arrest. She recalled being told medics were working on Bethan and if she wanted to be with her as she passed away. 'As soon as I walked in, I knew she was dead,' Mrs James said. She commented that a sepsis protocol should have been put in place early on. She said her daughter 'should have had the right care straight away'. She added: 'It's heartbreaking as a mum to know that her life could have been saved. They didn't know what they were doing.' The inquest continues.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Intruder arrested at Windsor Castle close to William and Kate's home
A man has been arrested for allegedly breaking into the grounds of Windsor Castle. The suspect in his 30s was said to have gained access just after 1pm on Sunday at the royal residence. Investigations have been launched by both the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police. It is close to where William and Kate live at Adelaide Cottage with their children George, Charlotte and Louis. A man was detained on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs, before being bailed, police confirmed. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Metro: 'This just highlights that security is of paramount importance to members of the royal family. 'It is hard to know how they are all feeling but for one reason or another, individuals are periodically drawn to do this. 'While it is a pity that cases like this have to be reported on, I'm glad to hear that police acted quickly to detain the suspect. 'As criminals become more intelligent and with the rise of social media, this underlines the importance of our security system for royal family members.' A Metropolitan Police spokesperson today said: 'A man in his 30s has been arrested on suspicion of trespass on a protected site and possession of Class A drugs after entering restricted grounds at Windsor Castle. 'Officers in the grounds spotted the man just after 13.00hrs on Sunday 1 June and quickly arrested him. More Trending 'He was then passed into the custody of Thames Valley Police.' A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police, said: 'At just after 1pm on Sunday 1 June a man entered restricted grounds at Windsor Castle. 'He was quickly challenged by Met police officers and arrested. He did not enter the inner grounds of Windsor Castle. 'He was arrested on suspicion of trespass on a secure site and possession of class A drugs. He has been bailed and an investigation is ongoing by Thames Valley Police.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Full list of the lavish presents Royals have received since 2020 MORE: Yet another celebrity discovers they're related to a king 9 years after Danny Dyer MORE: Meghan Markle gives rare glimpse of Lilibet while wearing beekeeping suits
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Senior police officer who wrote the Met's drugs strategy fired for second time after refusing to take drugs test
A SENIOR police officer has been fired for a second time after refusing to take a drugs test. Commander Julian Bennett last year successfully appealed against his initial dismissal in 2023. The Met then ordered a fresh misconduct hearing for his refusal to provide a urine sample in 2020. It again found him guilty of gross misconduct. The cop, on the force since 1976, had been suspended on full pay throughout the process. Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said: 'I am enormously concerned that almost five years since this incident happened we have only now been able to dismiss Commander Bennett. 'This should have been a simple matter. Commander Bennett has never disputed he refused a lawful order to take a drugs test. 'As a senior officer who had chaired misconduct hearings, Commander Bennett was highly experienced and knew full well what was required of him, yet he made a choice not to co-operate. 'He has been suspended on full pay for an extraordinary length of time. I am sure Londoners will be as outraged as we are at the utter waste of public funds spent paying a senior officer to sit at home suspended and not work.' Mr Bennett wrote the Met's drugs strategy for 2017-21, titled Dealing With The Impact Of Drugs On Communities. 1
