Willoughby accused’s web searches read to court
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.
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 soliciting murder, incitement to rape and incitement to kidnap.
The court heard that the 37-yearold security guard discussed on WhatsApp with a man who went by the name of Marc – believed to be based in Ireland – mounting a “home invasion” at Willoughby’s address, and 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.”
Earlier in the trial, the jury was told that Plumb had previous convictions for attempted kidnap and false imprisonment. The trial continues.