Security guard who plotted to kidnap and murder This Morning’s Holly Willoughby has been jailed for life

The man who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder This Morning star Holly Willoughby has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

Willoughby stepped down from the popular ITV daytime show in October last year, having gone on 'indefinite leave' after it was revealed there had been a sinister plot to kidnap her.

The mum-of-three was said to be 'distraught' at the time, as officers were stationed outside her London home, which she shares with her three children and husband Dan Baldwin.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told today how Gavin Plumb’s plot had a 'catastrophic' and 'life-changing' impact on Willoughby.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said the TV presenter wanted her victim personal statement to be private, but explained: “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.”

She left This Morning in October last year (ITV)

Turning to Plumb, 37, Morgan added: “My Lord knows of the extreme and gratuitous degradation of the victim that was planned by this defendant.

“Degradation that was so depraved and vile that they were, by agreement, not reported in detail by representatives of the media.”

Plumb was unanimously convicted of soliciting murder and inciting rape and kidnap, with Mr Justice Edward Murray saying as he sentenced him: “There is no doubt that if you had genuinely found one or more accomplices who were seriously interested in and had been willing to join you in carrying your plan through then you would have put this plan into action.”

Plumb was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years, minus the 280 days he had spent on remand, taking the total to a minimum jail term of 15 years and 85 days.

Murray continued: "Over a number of years, you pursued an unhealthy sexual obsession with Holly Willoughby that led you ultimately to plan over that period to kidnap, to rape and to murder her.

“You intended to harm her husband and her children as part of your plan.

Gavin Plumb, 37 (PA)

“You discussed with Marc and David Nelson – and no doubt others – in hideous and revolting detail the prolonged sexual violence that you intended to inflict on Ms Willoughby once you abducted her and had her under your control.

“You had previously been convicted of terrifying offences involving the threat of sexual violence against four different young women – I found you to be dangerous.”

Nicola Rice, a specialist prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service, said Plumb’s sentence 'ensures he will remain in prison, where he can no longer threaten or harm women'.

She said there is 'no doubt' that he 'posed a real danger', adding: "The CPS proved that his plans to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby were more than mere fantasy and he had every intention of encouraging others to help him.

“I hope today’s sentence brings some comfort to the victim, as well as the victims of his previous offences, and sends a clear message that the CPS will always bring the strongest possible case against those who plan violence against women.”

If you've been affected by any of the issues in this story, you can speak in confidence about where to get help from Mind free on 0300 123 3393, 9am–6pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays.

You can also contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.