Security guard Gavin Plumb has been sentenced to life imprisonment after plotting to kidnap, murder and rape Holly Willoughby.

Plumb, from Harlow in Essex, was sentenced to a minimum term of 15 years and 84 days at Chelmsford Crown Court following a week-long trial.

The 37-year-old sobbed in the dock last week after the jury reached a unanimous verdict after 12 hours and 19 minutes of deliberation.

However, Plumb sat emotionless in the dock today, instead watching Mr Justice Edward Murray continue his sentencing remarks.

Gavin PlumbGB NEWS

Justice Murray said: “I have no doubt that this was all considerably more than a fantasy to you.”

He continued: “Your plan was hopelessly unrealistic for a number of reasons - including your poor physical health - but you clearly thought it was feasible.

“Although you talked about carrying out the plan on your own, I am sure that this was simply bravado.

“You always intended to carry out your plan to kidnap, rape and kill Ms Willoughby, but only if you could find the right man or men - the right ‘crew’ as you sometimes called it - to help you do it.”

Holly Willoughby PA

Plumb's plan also included the 37-year-old seizing Willoughby's children to use as leverage against her.

He discussed his plot in graphic detail with associates and was arrested in October last year.

An undercover police officer foiled the plot while operating under the pseudonym David Nelson in the US.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard today that the details of his plot were so "depraved and vile" that the media had agreed not to report them.

A court artist drawing by Elizabeth Cook of Gavin Plumb appearing in the witness box at Chelmsford Crown CourtPA

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC also stressed how the plot had impacted Willoughby.

She said: "What I can say, and I make this submission from the prosecution... it is abundantly clear that in making that statement the prosecution submits the impact of this offending has been life-changing for the victim of these offences - both in private and personal terms - private, personal and indeed professional.

"It is clear, the prosecution submit... that the extent of the shock and fear caused by this offending has been impossible to convey."

Willoughby separately said last week that women "should not be made to feel unsafe... in our own homes" as Plumb was convicted of the horrific plot.

Plumb had earlier tried to abduct two women from trains in 2006 and merely received a suspended sentence.