A security guard’s fantasy to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby was “dark and twisted… but a fantasy nonetheless”, a court has heard.
Gavin Plumb has been remanded in custody since October 2023 over an alleged plot to kidnap, rape and murder the former This Morning host, which he denies. During his latest appearance at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday (July 2), the former security guard’s barrister described him as an “isolated and lonely individual who lived out his fantasy online”.
During her closing speech to the jury, Sasha Wass KC said the 37-year-old “had neither the means or the opportunity to carry out any of the things he mentioned in his chats.” The former KFC employee is accused of attempting to live his “ultimate fantasy” with the TV presenter, and has been described by the prosecution as someone who had an “obsession” with the star.
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Ms Wass agreed that there was “no doubt that the content of the messages (sent by Plumb online) are vile and misogynistic, and Mr Plumb himself accepts they’re dark.” She also told jurors that he “will never meet and had no intention of meeting” the mum-of-three.
(Image: Essex Police Handout)
During her final speech, the defendant’s barrister said his defence to all three charges is “exactly the same” which was that he “was living out a fantasy”. She added: “A dark and twisted fantasy, but a fantasy nonetheless.”
The star went on to argue that the equipment the defendant had purchased ahead of the alleged plot further demonstrated his lack of intent. Ms Wass then held up a set of handcuffs with a “fluffy black surround” in the courtroom for the jurors to see.
(Image: PA)
She told the court: “You will see the strength of the chain between the two cuffs – one of them has got fluffy surround.” The barrister added that Plumb said “they were essentially sex toys for consenting adults.”
It was at this point she asked the jury to consider whether the handcuffs “could possibly restrain a non-consenting adult.” When it came to addressing Plumb’s defence for the remaining charges, Wass argued that he never had a “serious plan” to kidnap Holly Willoughby.
(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
She stated: “His defence was made clear from the moment police entered his house in order to arrest him. You saw the video footage. He didn’t know why on earth the police had come to arrest him.
“As far as he was concerned, he had done nothing wrong. When the police finally disclosed to him the name Holly Willoughby he said, ‘Not gonna lie, she’s a fantasy of mine. She’s a fantasy of mine’. She’s a fantasy of a lot of guys, isn’t she?”
The trial continues.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
