Undercover cop: Threat to Holly was 'imminent'

AN undercover United States police officer who discussed the alleged plot to kidnap, rape and murder Holly Willoughby with a security guard online engaged with him as he felt there was an "imminent threat" to the television star, a court has heard.

The American officer, who has been granted anonymity to protect his and his family's safety and "his effectiveness as an undercover officer", said he had to find out who Ms Willoughby was while speaking with Gavin Plumb. He told the court the kidnap, rape and murder plot would have been "carried out with or without my services".

The witness recalled being sent an image of what he described as an "abduction kit", telling Chelmsford Crown Court: "At that point in the conversation, it was quite alarming."