Holly Willoughby faced 'imminent threat' as court hears alleged murder plans

27 June 2024 , 17:06

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A court has heard how Holly Willoughby faced an 'imminent threat' (Image: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

An undercover cop called in the FBI after stumbling on an alleged online plot to kidnap, rape, and murder Holly Willoughby, a court has heard.

The cop, using the pseudonym David Nelson, engaged with security guard Gavin Plumb in a chat group and says that he became so concerned he considered the telly star to be under an “imminent threat”. The officer, who has been granted anonymity to protect his safety and future undercover work told the court the plot would have been “carried out with or without my services” and how it involved cutting Ms Willoughby’s throat before dumping her body.

He told the court: “He (Plumb) had indicated in previous messages that he was planning to cut her throat. He indicated he was planning on using kitchen knives so as not to raise suspicions.” Mr Nelson, who admitted he said he had to find out who Ms Willoughby was while speaking with 37-year-old Plumb, also said he had never come across someone with chloroform in their possession throughout his career until he engaged with Plumb.

The officer alleged the defendant was one of 50 active members in the ‘Abduct Lovers’ chat group. Jurors were told Mr Plumb, a security guard, had a profile named “BigBear341987”, and used an image of Ms Willoughby as his profile picture. “What is discussed in that group is abductions, kidnap, rape and murder of other individuals,” Mr Nelson said.

Gavin Plumb is accused of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder Ms Willoughby (REX/Shutterstock)

Holly left her role on This Morning after the news of the threat against her emerged (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

On 3 October 2023, the defendant allegedly posted four pictures of the broadcaster to the group with the text “the one in the public eye I want”. He also boasted he had a “load of info” on the former This Morning presenter and when she “does and don’t (sic) have security”. These were seen by undercover officer Nelson who told the court acted quickly to try and gain Plumb’s trust and even showed Plumb a flight confirmation in their online conversations in order “to show him that I was willing to accomplice him in this act”.

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The officer told the jury: “He said ‘I know when she gets up in the morning’, as well as not having security cameras where she was. I felt there was an imminent threat to this individual. It’s very rare for an individual to post they have some potential information,” Mr Nelson said. Giving evidence on Thursday, the witness, who appeared via video link from the US, said he messaged Plumb directly when he saw the public post in a chat called “Abduct Lovers”. He revealed that he assumes “various fake identities” as part of his undercover work and that the one used in this investigation had been “active for about three years” at the time.

During their private discussions, the officer said he received a selfie image from Plumb as well as a live video in which he said the code word “Holly” to prove he was “real”. The court was told that Mr Plumb also sent Mr Nelson a video of a “kidnap kit” he had assembled, including hand and ankle shackles, a rope and a ball gag. “He also indicated he had chloroform. I asked where the chloroform was and he sent me a photograph,” Mr Nelson added.

Mr Plumb allegedly purchased chloroform as part of his plans to sedate Holly (PA)

A court heard that he also purchased handcuffs, mouth gags and metal cable ties (PA)

Under questioning from defence barrister Ms SashaWass KC, the officer agreed that he feared Plumb “must be approaching” Ms Willoughby after reading the post and that he had to pass the information about Plumb to the FBI who contacted the Metropolitan police. Under cross-examination, he was asked by the defence about the true credibility of Plumb’s alleged plot. He was asked whether the fact the defendant is “significantly overweight” would have affected the credibility of his plan to invade Ms Willoughby’s home before “jumping over a wall” when leaving, he replied: “No, it did not.”

Plumb is accused of attempting to live his “ultimate fantasy” and was described by the prosecution as someone who had an “obsession” with Ms Willoughby. The defendant, of Harlow, Essex, denies soliciting murder, incitement to rape and incitement to kidnap.

The trial continues.

Adam Aspinall