HOLLY 'KIDNAP PLOT'
Who is Gavin Plumb? Man convicted over Holly Willoughby kidnap plot
Gavin Plumb tried to snatch two women on trains before
GAVIN Plumb has been convicted over plotting to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby.
Here is everything we know about his plans and who he is.
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Who is Gavin Plumb?
Gavin Plub is a convicted sexual predator from Harlow, Essex.
Plumb, a dad-of-one, worked as a security guard at the Pinnacles Shopping Centre in Harlow, Essex.
He has also worked as a kitchen assistant at Pizza Hut until 2012 and once had a job at McDonald's.
However, he left his role at the pizza chain for health reasons when his weight reached 35 stone.
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Such was his weight, Plumb previously revealed to the BBC he was unable to work as he could no longer leave his flat.
For at least four years from 2014, the only time he ventured outside was to his communal bins.
Gavin Plumb has tried to kidnap two women before.
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It was found that he passed one victim a note telling her he had a gun and that he would shoot "you and myself and everyone else" if she did not follow him off the train.
The note said:"I have got a gun. All you have to do is keep quiet.
“Do what I say. So just stand up and get off at the next stop with me.
“Don't cry or make a sound.
"Don't stop me from touching you because I won't hurt you.
“If you do all of this, no-one will get hurt but if you don't I am going to shoot you and myself and everyone else."
What has Gavin Plumb been charged with?
Gavin Plumb has been charged with soliciting the murder of Holly Willoughby, encouraging or assisting the commission of her kidnap and encouraging or assisting the commission of her rape.
He was arrested by Essex Police officers on Wednesday October 4, 2023, after an undercover cop became alarmed about his intention.
The undercover police officer was messaging with him in a group chat called Abduct Lovers and was feeding information to the FBI and the Metropolitan Police.
Plumb was convicted on July 4, 2024 following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Plumb, who spoke only to confirm his name and address at the hearing on October 6, 2023, has remained in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court in November 2023.
In July 2024 a court found that his plans were real.
He planned to “stupefy and tie up” Holly Willoughby into a dungeon and then rape and murder her.
Holly Willoughby was said to be “shocked and distraught” when she found out about his plans.
During his trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, horrifying voice notes have been played, revealing Gavin Plumb discussing the alleged plot.
He told his associate Marc: "Plan of action, basically, we are going to hit it at night, less traffic on the road.
“Chloroform both of them, making them easier to restrain.
“Pick out outfits of hers we like, take her and the outfits with us and then we're gone.
"We are then going to force her to make a video saying she came with us under her own free will and she's fully consenting to everything we do to her so that covers us."
Police discovered that he was obsessed with Holly for years.
When officers seized his mobile phone and electronics during a search of his property, they found that he had looked up "how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebrities".
During a raid of Plumb’s home, officers found chloroform, cable ties, a blindfold and ropes.
Detective Superintendent Rob Kirby from Essex and Kent Serious Crime Directorate said: “This was an extremely fast-paced investigation, with many of our officers and national partners working overnight to secure these charges.
“The safeguarding of any victim is paramount and we will continue to prioritise this and working with the Metropolitan Police Service as the investigation proceeds.”
When was Gavin Plumb on BBC show weightloss?
Plumb appeared in a 2018 BBC documentary about weightloss.
He tipped the scales at 35-stone after gorging on fast food and guzzling 36 pints of Coke a week.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live's Afternoon Edition programme in August 2017, he said: "The last time I went out unaided was 2014 - it was my parents' wedding vow renewal.
"I only really go out my front door to put out a bin bag, in the bin just outside the flat, and that's every few days. Other than that, I don't leave my doorstep."
He also revealed how his weight reached 35 and a half stone at his heaviest.
Plumb subsequently lost his job and gave up playing football.
He added: "I hate sitting indoors. I hate looking at the same four walls 24/7. I hate being the size I am.
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"I'm pretty much in pain everywhere. I get chest pains and I've just been told it's because of my weight.
"I'm scared that if I have something to eat or if I get up and I do too much, that's it, I'm done."