Gavin Plumb, the man jailed for a serious plot to kidnap, rape, and kill television presenter Holly Willoughby, may be granted temporary leave from his Category A prison to attend his mother's funeral, according to reports. This potential release comes as Willoughby is set to return to daytime television after a three-year hiatus.
Plumb, 39, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023 after being found guilty of offenses including soliciting murder. His plot, masterminded online, involved incapacitating Willoughby and her husband, then abducting her to a "dungeon-style room" before her murder. Police were alerted to Plumb's plans by an undercover U.S. officer who posed as a fellow enthusiast in a dark web chatroom.
Plumb's mother, Carol, died in March after a cancer diagnosis. She had remained a staunch supporter of her son. A family friend told the Daily Mail that Plumb was informed of his mother's death by his stepfather via phone and was devastated, seeking support from prison staff. "He went to pieces," the friend said. "But they've got a really good team at Long Lartin who are looking after him."
Because an inquest into Mrs. Plumb's death may be required, a funeral has not yet taken place. Discussions have occurred regarding whether Plumb might be permitted to leave HMP Long Lartin to mark her passing. A prison source confirmed that authorities have stated they would allow Plumb to see his mother one last time in the chapel of rest, though he would not be permitted to attend a "celebration of her life" with other relatives. However, a final decision on whether to allow Plumb to leave prison at all has not been made and would depend on risk assessments.
Willoughby, 45, announced her departure from ITV's "This Morning" in 2023, shortly after Plumb's arrest. She cited personal reasons for the decision to step down from the show she had hosted for 14 years. Her return to television is slated for a new four-week YouTube series, described as a "This Morning-style" show.
During his trial, it was revealed that Plumb had a history of sexually motivated crimes against women. At 19, he received a suspended sentence for attempted kidnap after threatening two Ryanair workers with a toy gun. In 2009, he was jailed for 32 months for false imprisonment and battery after attacking two teenage shop assistants at Woolworths, during which he used a knife and taped one of their hands behind her back.
Sources within the prison suggest Plumb remains a danger. "He is completely unrepentant about what he put Holly Willoughby through," a prison source told the Daily Mail. "I think he's very much still living the fantasy – it's like he's living two lives." The source also described Plumb as "a pretty repulsive character" with significant weight issues, consuming large amounts of junk food and reportedly experiencing "self-loathing."
Plumb has denied soliciting murder and inciting kidnap and rape, maintaining that his online discussions were mere fantasy. The judge at his trial, however, stated, "I have no doubt this was all considerably more than a fantasy to you. You always intended to carry out your plan to kidnap, rape and kill Willoughby if you could find 'the right crew' to do it."
His mother and stepfather reportedly continued to visit Plumb in prison after his conviction. A family friend stated that while they loved him, they were disgusted by his actions and believed he deserved his sentence. "She said he deserved what he got," the friend said of Mrs. Plumb. "She loved him as a son. But she never forgave him for this."