Beast who plotted to murder Holly Willoughby deemed ‘too dangerous’ to be released from prison to attend mum’s funeral

THE stalker who plotted to murder Holly Willoughby has been deemed too dangerous to attend his mum’s funeral. Gavin Plumb, 39, is unlikely to have his request to be released from prison for a few hours in order to say goodbye to his mum Carol, 64, granted. Bodycam footage of the arrest of Gavin Plumb Credit: PA Plumb’s request is likely to be denied as he has been deemed too dangerous Credit: Getty Plumb is currently two years into his 16-year sentence and is said to be devastated following his mum’s death from cancer earlier this year. He was hoping to have a few hours away from high-security Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire for the service, the Daily Star reports. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! One source said: “Plumb is a broken man. His mum used to visit and call quite often. He has asked for permission to attend her funeral. It is unlikely to be given because he is regarded as a real security threat.” Plumb plotted to kidnap Holly Willoughby in a horrific plot Credit: PA Plumb was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 16 years in July last year Credit: PA They added that should circumstances change, he could attend handcuffed and accompanied by prison guards, but still won’t be allowed at any family gathering at a private house. Plumb will need his request approved by the governor and cleared by the prison service. The source also noted the high chance of a large media presence should the former Essex security guard attend the service. Typically, prisoners are allowed to go to the funerals of close family members and friends. Most read in The Sun Earlier this month, prison officers found a stash of photos of Holly under a mattress in Plumb’s jail cell. A source said: “Plumb is still obsessed with Holly. The pictures were taken from magazines. He should not have been allowed access to images of her.” They added that Plumb has also struck up a grim friendship in the high-security jail with fellow lag Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright, who is serving life for murdering six women. The source said: “Plumb is still completely obsessed and completely remorseless. Gavin Plumb requested permission to go to his mother’s funeral Credit: BBC Plumb was said to be devastated after his mother’s death Credit: BBC “He was asked about his crimes once and he replied, ‘Who wouldn’t want to kidnap Holly and rape her?’ He was really smug about it.” Plumb was jailed in July 2024 for soliciting Holly’s murder, kidnap, and the commission of rape, had his cell searched when his disturbing behaviour raised suspicions. His plan was thwarted by an undercover US officer online thousands of miles away in Minnesota. The officer posed as another kidnap enthusiast while Plumb outlined how they would attack Holly and her husband, TV producer Dan Baldwin. The US officer printed a fake plane ticket to convince Plumb he was travelling to the UK and got his address — then alerted the FBI, which contacted Scotland Yard. Essex Police, — fearing an imminent threat to Holly, arrested Plumb at his home in Harlow on the day they were warned about him. They found a kidnap kit including handcuffs, 400 heavy-duty cable ties and chloroform plus more than 10,000 photos of Holly inside Plumb’s flat. For the plot against Holly, 45, he got a minimum of 15 years and 85 days at Chelmsford crown court in 2024. Comment now