Holly Willoughby kidnap plot trial jury retires to consider verdicts

The jury in the trial of Gavin Plumb, who is accused of masterminding a plot to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby, has retired to consider its verdict.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that Plumb, 37, developed an "obsession" with the former ITV This Morning presenter over a number of years and encouraged others online to carry out his alleged plans with him. The court heard that he had told a man named Marc online that "fantasy isn’t enough any more. I want the real thing".

Giving evidence in court, Plumb, who denies soliciting murder, incitement to rape and incitement to kidnap, insisted that the alleged plot was just "a fantasy" and not real. He told jurors that he is "heartbroken, disgusted and shocked" that his "dark" conversations had come out.

READ MORE: Holly Willoughby trial LIVE updates as Gavin Plumb in court accused of kidnap, rape and murder plot

Plumb allegedly conspired online with a man he knew as David Nelson, who was actually an undercover officer from the Owatonna Police Department in the US state of Minnesota. Plumb told the officer of his plans to “put her (Ms Willoughby) into a lake at night” when he had finished raping her.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC previously showed the jury a photograph of an alleged "abduction kit" which was assembled by Plumb and shared with Mr Nelson – including handcuffs and metal cable ties.

The trial was shown police bodycam footage of a shirtless Plumb getting arrested after officers forced open his front door and burst into his home in Harlow, Essex, on October 4 last year.

Sasha Wass KC, defending, described Plumb as an "isolated and lonely individual who lived out his fantasy life online". She told the court: "His defence was made clear from the moment police