Holly Willoughby has had to make some drastic life changes after a man hatched a plot to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning host, a retired police detective has claimed.
Plumb, 37, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 15 years and 85 days at Chelmsford Crown Court after a week-long trial.
In graphic details revealed to the court, Plumb unearthed his plan to an undercover officer based in Minnesota, which was branded so “depraved and vile” that the media had agreed not to report them.
Handing down his verdict today, Justice Edward Murray said he had “no doubt” that this was “all considerably more than a fantasy” to Plumb.
Speaking on GB News today, retried Scotland Yard Detective Inspector Hamish Brown explained: “The Detective Chief Inspector from Essex, he spoke afterwards and he just showed the importance of the investigation.
“I have to say, I’m just so pleased that he has been locked away. I was looking at the internet with comments coming on, and some people are saying it’s a bit of a harsh sentence, he didn’t really do anything.
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“Well, he did everything. He got through to poor Holly, who’s had to suffer this. The mental torture and the trauma all victims have to go through sometimes is indescribable.
“One of the questions I asked stalking victims is, has anything changed in your life now?
“I know with Holly Willoughby some things have changed. The big change is, although there is no direct threat as far as she knew to her, so it was quite right to be ready to come back.
Making the point about whether the witness impact statements should be fully read out he said: “No, they’re going to be private things in that.
Hamish Brown claimed the TV star has had to make some big changes in her life
GB News
“She’s been through quite enough. And I think just to portray that this mental torture she’s been through is absolutely intolerable.
“And it has affected even Holly Willoughby, who’s used to talking to millions being on TV and is a strong but lovely personality.”
Plumb’s plan also included the 37-year-old seizing Willoughby’s children to use as leverage against her.
He discussed his plot in graphic detail with associates and was arrested in October last year.
An undercover police officer foiled the plot while operating under the pseudonym David Nelson in the US.
Gavin Plumb was sentenced to life in prisonGB NEWS
Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC has also stressed how the plot had impacted Holly Willoughby.
She said: “What I can say, and I make this submission from the prosecution… it is abundantly clear that in making that statement the prosecution submits the impact of this offending has been life-changing for the victim of these offences – both in private and personal terms – private, personal and indeed professional.
“It is clear, the prosecution submit… that the extent of the shock and fear caused by this offending has been impossible to convey.”
Source Agencies
