Security guard speaks out after being convicted of conspiracy to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby

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Plumb could face life in prison and will be sentenced on July 12.

The security guard had been trying to fulfill his “ultimate fantasy” and prosecutors described him as someone who was “obsessed” with Willoughby.

After the verdict, Willoughby said in a statement: “As women, we should never feel unsafe in our daily lives and in our homes. I will always be grateful to the plainclothes officer who was aware of the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response.”

She thanked prosecutors, the judge and the jury for “ensuring that justice was served and that Plumb would never harm another woman again.”

She added: “I would also like to commend the previous victims for their courage in coming forward at the time. Without their courage this conviction would likely not have been possible.”

During the week-long trial, police learned that Plumb had built a “kidnapping kit” that included metal cable ties, handcuffs, a ball gag and a blindfold in preparation for the attack.

In order to prevent someone from breaking into the house, he checked Willoughby’s home address in advance and looked for abandoned buildings in which to “safeguard” the former. This morning the prosecution told jurors.

On October 4 last year, Plame inadvertently revealed his plot online to an undercover US police officer, who then raided his apartment.

Detectives examined his phone and devices and found “numerous” images of women, including 10,322 of Willoughby’s.

Jury told Plumb spent 'considerable time' planning attack on presenter — Jury told Plumb spent ‘considerable time’ planning attack on presenter

Detective Inspector William Belsham of Essex Police told jurors that due to the sheer volume of material, officers were only able to analyse around 10 per cent of it, totalling “well over tens of thousands of images”.

Plumb, a father of two, was also found in 2021 to have searched online for things like “how to meet someone who plans to kidnap a celebrity” and “what is it like to be raped”.

In “sexually suggestive” messages between Plumb and a man named Marc on WhatsApp, Wickr and Kik between January 12 and January 19, 2022, the two exchanged 57 photos of Willoughby in 46 WhatsApp messages.

Prosecutor Alison Morgan KC said nine of the images were “deepfake pornography”.

Jurors heard voice notes sent by Plumb detailing his plans to hold Willoughby in his home, where he had installed CCTV cameras.

As part of his preparation for the attack, he ordered several bottles of chloroform from a homeopathic website, claiming they were for removing stains from the floor.

Former This Morning presenter Holly Willoughby quit the show after the conspiracy was revealed. Photo/ITV

Plumb’s violence against women began in 2006 when he twice tried to force two flight attendants off a train using a fake gun and threatening notes, for which he was sentenced to 12 months’ probation.

He later Sentenced to 32 months in prison in 2008 for attacking two teenage girlsin which he threatens them with a “box cutter/Stanley knife type tool.”

Morgan closed his remarks by saying Plame used the username “Big Bear” online and “did everything he could to show others that this was not a fantasy.”

Detective Chief Inspector Greg Wood, a senior investigating officer at Essex Police, said Plumb was a “dangerous, predatory individual”.

“He was not just obsessed with Holly Willoughby, he carefully planned a depraved and violent attack over a period of years, conspiring to deprive her of her freedom and ultimately her life.”

His claim in court that he was a ‘visionary’ is simply untrue, as evidenced by the extent to which he conspired with others to carry out his evil plans.”

Nicola Rice, a specialist prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said Plumb had “planned a heinous act of violence against one of this country’s most familiar faces”.

“The chilling details of Plame’s plan were revealed with the help of an undercover US police officer who informed the FBI of the threat, and the severity of Plame’s plan came to light when prosecutors successfully applied to tell the jury about Plame’s previous conviction.

“I hope his conviction brings some comfort to Holly Willoughby and her family, and lets others know that the Crown Prosecution Service will always bring the toughest charges against those who plan violence against women.”