BID FOR FREEDOM
Vile Holly Willoughby kidnap plotter launches appeal against sentence after evil plan to rape and murder TV star foiled
Warped security guard grew obsessed with former This Morning star after watching her on daytime TV
A VILE fiend who hatched a plot to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby has launched an appeal against his sentence.
Gavin Plumb, 37, was handed three life sentences over the sinister plan to ambush his so-called "fantasy" Holly at her home.
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He has now applied for permission to appeal his sentence and conviction for convicted of soliciting murder, incitement to kidnap and incitement to rape.
If successful, the case will go to the Court of Appeal where judges will decide whether to slash his sentence or overturn the conviction.
An official told the : "We have received applications to appeal both [his convictions and sentence]."
Plumb was handed three concurrent life sentences - one for each of the offences - with a minimum term of 15 years.
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Sentencing, Mr Justice Edward Murray told him: "There is no doubt that if you had genuinely found one or more accomplices who were seriously interested in and had been willing to join you in carrying your plan through then you would have put this plan into action."
Chelmsford Crown Court heard the 35st security guard wanted to tie the star up and take her to a "dungeon" where her screams would not be heard "for miles".
Holly, 43, bravely waived her anonymity in regards to the incitement to rape count so that she could be named in court.
Plumb made previous abduction attempts - targeting two cabin crew workers on a train as air stewardesses were a "fantasy" of his.
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He also tied up a 16-year-old girl at knifepoint but was freed from jail for that disturbing offence in 2010.
The security guard began obsessing over the former This Morning star when his weight ballooned - rendering him housebound.
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He began watching more daytime TV, which led to Plumb developing a "celebrity crush" on Holly.
His twisted plans were only foiled when he divulged all the chilling details to an undercover cop on a site called Abduct Lovers.
Believing the plan was a "credible" one, the cop contacted both the FBI and police, who swooped on Plumb's home in October last year.
Holly meanwhile had been just moments away from going on air for This Morning when she was told about the sick plot.
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: "I have to make this decision for me and my family."
The star previously told how she will be "forever grateful" to those who foiled the evil plot following the verdict.
Holly added: "As women we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes.
"I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.
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"Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women.
"I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery this conviction may not have been possible."
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