Holly Willoughby has said “women should not be made to feel unsafe” as a “depraved” security guard is found guilty of hatching a plot to kidnap, rape and murder the star.
In a statement released after the jury returned the verdict, the TV presenter thanked the US undercover police officer for helping foil Gavin Plumb’s plot and everyone involved in convicting her potential kidnapper.
“As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes. I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.
“Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.
“I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible.”
Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood of Essex Police said that Plumb thought he had found a likeminded person online, but it was actually a US undercover police officer using the alias David Nelson.
Mr Wood, who was the senior investigating officer in the case, said the UK force was contacted by the FBI and they were able to disrupt Plumb’s plot.
He said: “Gavin Plumb is a dangerous, predatory individual who was intent on causing the most serious harm to his victim.
“He was not just simply obsessed with Holly Willoughby, he meticulously and carefully planned, over a number of years, to carry out a depraved and violent attack, in which he plotted to deprive her of her liberty and ultimately her life.
“His claims in court that he was a ‘fantasist’ are simply not true and were evidenced by the extent with which he plotted with others to carry out his wicked plan.”
The trial heard it was his “ultimate fantasy” to target Ms Willoughby, 43, and he had purchased metal cable ties, a knife and chloroform – a liquid drug used to stupefy victims – in preparation for an attack.
Using the online identity ‘BigBear’, Plumb revealed to the undercover officer his plans to invade Ms Willoughby’s home and tie up her husband before taking the star away to “enjoy her”.
At various points Plumb and Marc discussed taking the mother of three to an abandoned building, including a disused stud farm with “15 cells”, his flat in Harlow, Essex, or to a dungeon type room where “no one would hear her screams”.
Afterwards, Plumb said he would “slit her throat” and dispose of her body.
The shopping centre security guard, whose weight once ballooned to 35 stone, lowered his head and sobbed in the dock as he was found guilty of soliciting murder, incitement to rape and incitement on Thursday.
The prosecution will be applying for a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order at Gavin Plumb’s sentencing, prosecutor Ros Earis said.
The sentencing will take place on July 12.