Latest news with #AbductLovers
Wales Online
01-05-2025
- Wales Online
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.
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Man who plotted to kill Holly Willoughby had '130 other names on his target list'
Philip Grindell, who served 30 years in the Metropolitan Police, shared his thoughts on the investigation into Gavin Plumb, who was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years in jail last year for his Holly Willoughby plot A man who plotted to rape and murder Holly Willoughby reportedly had more than 130 other names on his list of potential targets. In a new Channel 5 documentary, Philip Grindell, who served 30 years in the Metropolitan Police, weighed in on the investigation of Gavin Plumb, a 37-year-old Essex man who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning star. Last year, jurors heard how Plumb had been planning the terrifying attack since 2021, after becoming obsessed with the star over a number of years. Chelmsford Crown Court ultimately handed Plumb a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years in jail. 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 explained how police received intelligence that Plumb posed a threat after he shared his plans online. He also pointed out an "immediate red flag" when the plotter, who has previous convictions for attempted kidnap, talked about murder. It was suggested that the security guard, from Harlow, Essex, planned to use "serious violence", and once police descended on his home, his unlocked phone allowed them to "make an assessment". But what they found next was equally chilling. Philip said: "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. Thankfully, an undercover police officer from the US reported Plumb to the FBI and UK police. As Plumb continued to talk about his sick plot online, he attempted to include the undercover cop in his plans, who then reported him. 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. Essex Police's Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said: "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." The Plot To Kill Holly Willoughby, Thursday 1st May at 9pm. Watch | Stream on 5.
Daily Record
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Why Holly Willoughby refused to take part in Channel 5 show about kidnap plot
The Channel 5 documentary which looks into the plot of Gavin Plumb who planned to kidnap and murder the TV presenter will air tonight - but Holly wont be making an appearance on the show. A new Channel 5 documentary looks into the plot of Gavin Plumb who planned to kidnap and murder Holly Willoughby - although the presenter 'refused' to take part in the show. Security guard Gavin Plumb, from Essex, had planned to kidnap the TV star, with Essex police explaining that Plumb had "developed an obsession with Holly Willoughby over a number of years". Now, Channel 5 has made a documentary titled The Plot to Kill Holly Willoughby - which airs tonight - uncovering Plump's horrifying acts. Although Holly will not appear in the program herself, there will be commentary from journalists and criminal psychologists. The TV presenter refused to participate in the documentary, which was originally set to be titled, Stalking Holly Willoughby. With a source telling The Sun: "Producers are ploughing ahead in making it regardless' because they know it will be a 'ratings hit'." "She declined to be interviewed by producers about the ordeal and her reps informed Channel 5 she wasn't technically stalked so their title is incorrect. There is also concern that the events will be sensationally dramatised for effect. "It's an awkward move, as it's not their story to tell." In July of last year, Plumb was convicted after spending nearly ten years consumed by a disturbing obsession with her. He had participated in multiple online forums - including one named "Abduct Lovers" - where he shared detailed plans to abduct the presenter from her home. During his sentencing, jurors were presented with evidence of conversations between Plumb and a man known as "Marc", in which they exchanged graphic details about the planned crime. Plumb was ultimately caught when an undercover US officer infiltrated the Abduct Lovers forum and became so alarmed by his messages that the information was passed onto the FBI. The show will highlight Plumb's plans showing thousands of images he had of Holly, along with how he tracked her movements, researched her home and security arrangements and had recruited other men to help turn his sick fantasies into reality. Showing that the men were planning on abducting her from her house in London, using chloroform to knock out her husband and use her children as leverage. Taking the TV star to a remote location to sexually assault her and then murder her. When Holly learnt of the plans, her life was turned upside down as she withdrew from public life until the police built a case against Plumb. She waived her right to anonymity in connection to the charges against Plumb, but left This Morning after her 14-year stint on the show following the offences. Plumb was given a life-sentence and ordered to serve a minimum of 16 years in prison for his crimes. The documentary, The Plot to Kill Holly Willoughby, airs tonight on Channel 5 at 9pm.
