Maria, a survivor of Gavin Plumb’s attempted kidnapping, has spoken out about her experience for the first time. Maria was travelling on a train to the airport where she worked in 2006 when Plumb, who had plotted the kidnap, rape, and murder of television presenter Holly Willoughby, attempted to take her. According to Maria, Plumb passed her a note, which she initially ignored, but as she read it, she realised that Plumb had a rope and replica gun. Maria described feeling frozen and scared, but as Plumb approached her, she clung onto her seat and made eye contact with another woman, who came over and helped her as Plumb fled the train.
Plumb, who is now 37, had targeted four other women and teenage girls before planning Holly Willoughby’s kidnap. Maria said that Plumb’s previous suspended sentence had acted as encouragement for him. Two years on from Maria’s attempted kidnap, he had successfully kidnapped and tied up two teenage girls. Maria believes that a custodial sentence after her failed abduction could have prevented future attacks.
Maria admits the incident has had a long-lasting impact on her, specifically in regard to her feelings about men. She suggested that she and many other women view every man as a potential perpetrator, which is sad. She sympathises with Holly Willoughby and hopes that Plumb’s sentencing will result in him being kept away from society.
Gavin Plumb is set to be sentenced on 12 July for his plot to kidnap, rape, and murder Holly Willoughby, and Maria’s story has added to the growing conversation about what could have been done to stop him earlier. If you have been affected by any issues raised in this article, you can seek support via the BBC Action Line
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