Kidnap suspect was 'imminent threat to Holly'

Undercover cop tells jury of fears

- ADAM ASPINALL

THE undercover officer who alerted British police to an alleged plot to murder Holly Willoughby feared she faced an imminent threat, a jury heard.

Gavin Plumb, 37, is said to have used an online group called Abduct Lovers to find others to help him kidnap, rape and kill the presenter.

Yesterday the US-based officer, using the pseudonym David Nelson, told how he stumbled across the alleged internet plot.

Giving evidence by video link with no image displayed, he said he engaged with Plumb and was concerned that he was looking for hitmen.

Nelson said he thought Holly was under "imminent threat" and that the plot would have been "carried out with or without my services".

Mr Nelson told Chelmsford crown court: "He [Plumb] indicated in previous messages that he was planning to cut her throat.