A MAN accused of plotting to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby searched “how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebs”, a court heard.
Gavin Plumb, 37, allegedly hatched a “graphic and sexually motivated” plan to ambush the TV star at her home and use chloroform to knock her and husband Dan Baldwin out.
The security guard then wanted to take Holly to a “dungeon” where her screams would not be heard “for miles”, jurors heard.
Chelmsford Crown Court was told today how Plumb began his research into kidnapping stars more than a decade ago.
When police seized his phone, they discovered in 2011, he had looked up “how to meet people who plan to kidnap celebrities”.
Plumb, who has previous convictions for trying to kidnap two women on trains and tying a 16-year-old girl up at knifepoint, also researched a news story about a US college student being abducted.
Jurors heard police recovered millions of images of Holly and other female celebs on his devices following his arrest.
He had allegedly spent years fixating on the former This Morning star – tracking her movements and activities for “some time”.
Plumb detailed his alleged plans with an accomplice named “Marc”, telling him: “I’m at the point where idc (I don’t care) about the risks or consequences.”
Jurors heard the pair also discussed “the deceased BBC presenter Jill Dando“, who was shot dead on her doorstep in 1999.
They also decided how a “home invasion” would work better for their Holly plan, it was said.
Plumb said the plot would guarantee that “Phil will get a new co-host” – referring to Holly’s former This Morning host Phillip Schofield.
The court heard Plumb purchased a “restraint kit” – including 400 “heavy duty” cable ties – that he would use to “stupefy and tie her up”.
In a voice message to Marc, Plumb discussed how they could “pick out outfits for her we like” and spoke about the use of chloroform.
One said: “We’re then going to force her to make a video that she came with us under her own free will…so that covers us.”
Jurors heard he also detailed the alleged plot in web chats to an undercover police officer using the alias David Nelson, who was based in the US.
The court was told Plumb used the alias “BigBear” to post pictures of Holly on an online group called Abduct Lovers.
When he was arrested, Plumb said: “I’m not gonna lie. She is a fantasy of mine.”
Holly was due to go on air to present This Morning but was told of the alleged plot just moments before.
The mum-of-three, 43, announced later that month she was stepping down from the show after 14 years.
She said in a social media post at the time that she felt: “I have to make this decision for me and my family.”
Holly has since hosted Dancing on Ice and is taking part in a Netflix show with Bear Grylls.
Plumb denies the charges. The trial continues.
