A security guard’s appeal against his conviction for planning to abduct, sexually assault, and murder television presenter Holly Willoughby has been dismissed.
Gavin Plumb received a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years in July of last year. He was found guilty of inciting murder and encouraging others to commit acts of rape and kidnapping.
Plumb was described as a significant threat to women and had caused distress and fear to the former Good Morning Britain host.
His attempt to challenge the sentence was rejected by the Court of Appeal at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Tuesday.
Justice Edis, delivering the court’s decision, emphasized that the severity of the crimes warranted a life sentence due to the horrifying details of Plumb’s intentions towards Holly Willoughby.
The judge highlighted the extreme harm that was planned and emphasized the gravity of the offenses.
Plumb’s defense argued that his physical limitations, such as obesity and lack of resources, made the execution of his plans unfeasible.
The Crown Prosecution Service upheld the trial judge’s ruling, stating that a life sentence was necessary given the high level of harm intended by Plumb.
Plumb’s legal team contended that the sentence was overly harsh and that the feasibility of his plans was questionable.
The trial revealed that Plumb had prepared for the abduction with items like chloroform and restraints, intending to ambush the presenter at her home.
Justice Murray, during sentencing, praised Holly Willoughby’s bravery and labeled Plumb as a dangerous individual with sadistic intentions.
Plumb had a history of violent offenses and had shared detailed plans to carry out the attack on Willoughby with an undercover officer, leading to his arrest.
Authorities intervened just days before Plumb’s planned assault, preventing a potentially tragic outcome.