A man accused of masterminding a plot to kidnap, rape and murder the television personality Holly Willoughby searched on Google for “how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebrities”, a court has heard.
Gavin Plumb’s online searches were read to a jury at Chelmsford crown court along with messages in which he said attacking Willoughby had been his “ultimate fantasy” and that “fantasy isn’t enough anymore [sic], I want the real thing”.
Alison Morgan KC, prosecuting, went through a document of communications before jurors with DC William Belsham, of Essex police, in the witness box.
The officer agreed with the barrister that Plumb was using a mobile phone when he was arrested on 4 October last year and that officers kept it unlocked while they filmed some of the messages on it using body-worn cameras.
He said Plumb did not initially provide a pin number for the device but that this was later provided through his legal representatives, and officers sent the phone for a full download.
Among his internet searches were “how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebrities”, news reports of rape cases and searches for Ryanair staff and pornographic references to female cabin crew.
Plumb denies charges of soliciting murder, incitement to rape and incitement to kidnap.
The court heard that the 37-year-old security guard discussed on WhatsApp with a man who went by the name of Marc, who is believed to be based in Ireland, mounting a “home invasion” at Willoughby’s address and discussed logistics including blind spots where they could “hop over the wall”.
“That’s all I need to do got a rough idea her address so it’s find it track her movements for a simple place to strike but a home invasion is a better idea,” he wrote in one of the messages read to the jury. “I might even take a ball so if I’m caught I’ll say I’m getting it back.”
The court heard that Plumb told Marc he did not “care about the risks or consequences”, adding: “The UK prison service is light AF, you’re on 23 hour bang up but can watch as much as you want but phones are in cell.”
Asked by Marc in December 2021 for how long he had wanted to attack the TV presenter, the defendant replied: “About three years, but people claim to want to and then back out.”
“Getting her has been my ultimate fantasy for way too long,” Plumb told Marc in messages read to the court. “I’m now at the point that fantasy isn’t enough anymore … I want the real thing …”
Earlier in the trial, the jury was told that Plumb has previous convictions for attempted kidnap and false imprisonment. He had tried to force two women off a train with a fake gun and a threatening note in 2006 and attempted to tie up two teenage girls in a Woolworths stock room in 2008.
In messages read to the court, Plumb discussed his convictions with Marc, saying the attempts had been “poorly planned”.
The court previously heard that Plumb was arrested after he unknowingly communicated with an undercover police officer based in the US, who raised the alarm with UK authorities. A search of Plumb’s home found items including sexualised paraphernalia, chloroform, cable ties and a folding knife, as well as a mobile phone with more than 10,000 images of Willoughby.
The trial continues.
