'Prank' kidnaps of Holly plotter

TWISTED Holly Willoughby kidnap plotter Gavin Plumb tried to pass off his first attempts to abduct two women travelling on a train as a "prank because he was bored" when stopped by police.

- Jon Austin

Plumb, 37, who admitted two counts of attempted kidnap almost 20 years ago, was spared jail after the judge said his plot was at the "lower end of the scale". Instead, he was able to take a course to prevent further offending.

On Thursday, Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, was convicted of soliciting the murder of TV presenter Holly Willoughby, encouraging or assisting the commission of her kidnap and encouraging or assisting the commission of her rape.

The jury was told of his previous kidnap attempts but not the excuse he gave to police.