Philip Grindell, who served 30 years in the Metropolitan Police, shared his thoughts on the investigation into Gavin Plumb, who was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years in jail last year for his Holly Willoughby plot
(Image: Dave J. Hogan/Getty Images)
A man who plotted to rape and murder Holly Willoughby reportedly had more than 130 other names on his list of potential targets.
In a new Channel 5 documentary, Philip Grindell, who served 30 years in the Metropolitan Police, weighed in on the investigation of Gavin Plumb, a 37-year-old Essex man who plotted to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning star.
Last year, jurors heard how Plumb had been planning the terrifying attack since 2021, after becoming obsessed with the star over a number of years. Chelmsford Crown Court ultimately handed Plumb a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years in jail.
Plumb, who discussed his kidnap plans online, having joined forums like one titled ‘Abduct Lovers’, reportedly had thousands of pictures of Holly on his phone and had gathered information on her movements.
Philip explained how police received intelligence that Plumb posed a threat after he shared his plans online. He also pointed out an “immediate red flag” when the plotter, who has previous convictions for attempted kidnap, talked about murder.
It was suggested that the security guard, from Harlow, Essex, planned to use “serious violence”, and once police descended on his home, his unlocked phone allowed them to “make an assessment”. But what they found next was equally chilling.
Philip said: “And so when they were able to look at his mobile phone and see images that he’d saved of Holly Willoughby – I think it’s over, you know, 10,000 or something – it allows them very quickly to make an assessment.
“They’re in the right place; it’s the right person. They know they’re on the right track. During the search, they find a list in his bedside cabinet, which has over 130 names on it, of people he is also interested in or has some fixation on.
“At that stage, they won’t know how much of a fixation, which ones he’s targeting. Are any of those other people at greater risk? You don’t know who else he’s engaging with. Does he have co-conspirators? Who’s at risk here?”
In a press release issued last year, Essex Police described how Plumb spoke online about his intentions to restrain his victim and even bought chloroform, cable ties and ropes.
Thankfully, an undercover police officer from the US reported Plumb to the FBI and UK police. As Plumb continued to talk about his sick plot online, he attempted to include the undercover cop in his plans, who then reported him.
Plumb, who was arrested at his home in 2023, will serve at least 15 years and 85 days in prison, due to the time he spent on remand prior to his trial, reports the BBC.
Essex Police’s Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood said: “He tried to claim throughout the trial that he was an obsessive fan and a fantasist – that is simply not true.
“He planned this attack on Ms Willoughby over a two-year period, scoping her movements, seeking to elicit help from others to carry out his wicked plan, buying chloroform and other items to incapacitate, restrain and inflict violence upon her.
“He is no fantasist – he’s a calculated, violent, sexual predator who has spent his adult life inflicting or plotting to inflict harm on women.”
The Plot To Kill Holly Willoughby, Thursday 1st May at 9pm. Watch | Stream on 5.
