Holly Willoughby murder plot security guard appeal due later this month

By Jess Glass, PA Law Editor

A security guard who was jailed over a plot to kidnap, rape and murder TV presenter Holly Willoughby is set to have his appeal bid heard later this month.

Gavin Plumb was found guilty of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

The 38-year-old from Harlow, in Essex, was sentenced at the same court in July to life in prison with a minimum term of 16 years.

According to court listings, his case will now be heard at the Court of Appeal in London on October 21.

Earlier this year, court officials said they received applications for permission to appeal against his convictions and the sentence.

At his sentencing earlier this year, judge Mr Justice Murray described some of the plans Plumb had discussed online as “particularly sadistic, brutal and degrading”.

Plumb was snared after a US undercover police officer infiltrated an online group called Abduct Lovers and became so concerned about Plumb’s posts that evidence was passed to the FBI.

US law enforcement in turn contacted police in the UK, and when Essex Police officers raided Plumb’s flat in Harlow they found bottles of chloroform and an “abduction kit” complete with cable ties.

Jurors heard Plumb’s kidnap plans involved attempting to “ambush” Ms Willoughby at her family home – even discussing taking time off work in order to organise the attack.

Plumb had argued in his defence that it was just online chat and fantasy.

But Mr Justice Murray dismissed this, saying: “I have no doubt that this was all considerably more than a fantasy to you.