Willoughby kidnap suspect was living 'dark, twisted' lie

Fake pornographic images of Holly Willoughby were found on a device owned by Gavin Plumb, it has been alleged

A man accused of masterminding a plan to abduct, rape and murder Holly Willoughby was living a "dark, twisted fantasy", his barrister argued.

Defending Gavin Plumb, Sasha Wass KC said the 37-year-old held "vile and misogynistic" conversations online but they were "a fantasy nonetheless".

The trial at Chelmsford Crown Court was previously told that Mr Plumb was arrested after disclosing his alleged plot to an undercover police officer from the US.

Security guard Mr Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, has denied soliciting murder, inciting rape and inciting kidnap.

The prosecution alleged that Mr Plumb wanted to live out his "ultimate fantasy" by taking Ms Willoughby from her home by force and leading her to a "dungeon".

Defending her client, Ms Wass said in her closing speech that he "neither had the means nor the opportunity" to undertake the so-called plan.

"The fun - if that is the right word - was fantasising, the pretending that the plan would be put into effect," she told the jury.

"There is no doubt that Gavin Plumb sent the messages and there is no doubt that the content of the messages are vile and misogynistic - and Mr Plumb himself accepted they were dark."

During the trial, the jury was played a voice note Mr Plumb sent to a man only known as Marc in March 2023.

It outlined a plan to "hit" Ms Willoughby's house at night before using chloroform to incapacitate her.

"We’re then gonna force her to make a video saying she came with us under her own free will… and she’s fully consenting to everything we do to her – so that covers us," Mr Plumb said in the voice note.

'Riddled with flaws'

It was also alleged he messaged Marc saying: "I'm now at the point that fantasy isn't enough anymore. I want the real thing."

Ms Wass said the messages were "the ramblings of a rather sad" individual.

"The plan was riddled with flaws - it was wholly unachievable," she told the jury.

The barrister added that Mr Plumb had fallen down a "rabbit hole" of fantastical online chat rooms where "similar lonely, disaffected people were feeding off their fantasies".

She continued: "It was the fantasy of rape and abduction that gave him the gratification."

Mr Plumb said he was unable to stand while he gave evidence during the trial

Ms Wass warned jurors it "would not be fair to hold [Mr Plumb's] previous convictions against him".

The defendant had tried to kidnap two air hostesses off a train in 2006, and in 2008 he attempted to falsely imprison two 16-year-old girls at a shop, his trial was earlier told.

Mr Plumb's age at the time and the fact he pleaded guilty to the offences meant it "wouldn't be right" to judge him on them, Ms Wass said.

"I would urge you to stick to the evidence in this indictment and the central question - is this a serious plan or is it a fantasy?," she added.

Police found "sexualised discussions" on a device they seized from Mr Plumb's address, the court heard

The barrister said it would have been "impossible" for Mr Plumb to have "hopped" over a 9ft (2.74m) wall at Ms Willoughby's house when he weighed 30st (190kg).

She argued it was "absurd" to suggest that Mr Plumb - who did not have a driving licence - would then take the broadcaster's car and drive her to his flat.

Closing her speech, Ms Wass said Mr Plumb's alleged plan was instead "the ravings of an isolated individual".

The trial continues.