Holly Willoughby kidnap case

[Nelly's mum]

While what happened with HW is an awful, frightening experience and he is a sicko weirdo, I must admit to feeling somewhat conflicted over this. I was stalked by a weirdo ex-friend for over 3x yrs, he wrote me dozens of graphic abusive letters, hung around my house and followed me in public, I caught him trying to break into my home twice.
The police did nothing, they spoke to him once and asked him to stop it. It only stopped when I met my partner who took no shit and we moved 20miles away. Many years later I still keep a very low profile, there is no trace of me on social media.

So while HW's experience is awful and no man or woman should do this to anyone, I do feel for all the ordinary victims of stalking who are largely just left to get on with it. I was not in the position to hire protection, employ a driver or install security systems.
I empathise with HW but part of me wonders how much of this was a sick fantasy for her stalker, rather than the 'in your face' daily reality it is for many victims of stalking.

 

[nbt]

I didn’t actually give this story much attention when it was first reported, but I’ve been listening to the podcast and it’s just horrible.

I’ve not been a Holly fan over the last few years and probably even rolled my eyes and assumed she was using this as an excuse to shy away from other negative things that’ve been said about her, but tbh I completely see why she’d step back from the public eye after this. It’s very sickening.

 

[Droosie123]

While what happened with HW is an awful, frightening experience and he is a sicko weirdo, I must admit to feeling somewhat conflicted over this. I was stalked by a weirdo ex-friend for over 3x yrs, he wrote me dozens of graphic abusive letters, hung around my house and followed me in public, I caught him trying to break into my home twice.
The police did nothing, they spoke to him once and asked him to stop it. It only stopped when I met my partner who took no shit and we moved 20miles away. Many years later I still keep a very low profile, there is no trace of me on social media.

So while HW's experience is awful and no man or woman should do this to anyone, I do feel for all the ordinary victims of stalking who are largely just left to get on with it. I was not in the position to hire protection, employ a driver or install security systems.
I empathise with HW but part of me wonders how much of this was a sick fantasy for her stalker, rather than the 'in your face' daily reality it is for many victims of stalking.

More than a sick fantasy, he has three documented previous attempts at trying to snatch women. In one case it was two 16yr old girls. He took them to the back of the store they were working in (he was a security guard) and zip tied one of them but as he did that the other one got away and got help.

He actually thought he had someone coming over from USA to help him. It’s only because that man was an undercover police officer he was discovered.

I think he was deadly serious . I think he is a danger to all women and always will be.
How the hell he got a job as a security guard after the attempted kidnap of two 16yr olds when he was in the same role is beyond me?

 

[repairshoplover]

I read Holly had waived her right to remain anonymous. I’m glad that he won’t be able to do it to anyone else. I was stalked in my teens and it has a last effect. I often feared for my life from an intellectually challenged man who wouldn’t listen to the police. It was only because I moved away he left me alone but then started on his next victim. It was a relief when he died.

 

[Droosie123]

Finding it shocking that he was a security guard. Who vets these people?

 

[CrackingOwlSanctuary]

Not to make light of this at all but when he is acting innocent in that arrest video he sounds like Smithy from Gavin and Stacey!

Totally agree though as much as people were laughing at the time about his physical appearance his track record says otherwise, definitely a real danger!

 

[Flowergirl14]

I am no fan of Holly, but he is a sick individial and needs to be locked up forever. He is a danger to women.

 

[Droosie123]

I’ll likely edit this to add a link but I cannot believe this guy was not locked up already given there had been several previous kidnap attempts including two 16yr old girls.
What’s coming out about him is shocking .

DM link

https://www.archive.is/oldest/https...ting-kidnap-rape-murder-Holly-Willoughby.html

 

[whatisityoucan'tface]

Poor Holly, nobody deserves that. She'll always have in her mind what he planned to do and how close he got.

Sentences for VAWG are a joke, he should have already been in prison for life for the previous kidnap plots which he didn't just plan but actually put into practice. He was a clear danger long before this.

 

[buttheyneverblindme8]

Holly's released a statement:

"As women, we should not be made to feel unsafe going about our daily lives and in our own homes. I will forever be grateful to the undercover police officer who understood the imminent threat, and to the Metropolitan and Essex police forces for their swift response. Thank you to the Crown Prosecution Service, the Rt Hon Mr Justice Murray, Alison Morgan KC, the members of the jury and all involved in this case for ensuring that justice was done and that the defendant will not be able to harm any more women. I would also like to commend the bravery of his previous victims for speaking up at the time. Without their bravery, this conviction may not have been possible."

 

[Ofalltheginjoints]

He has been found guilty, sentencing to take place on 12th July

 

[feath]

Did he really believe he could carry this off?

I don't think he thought he could pull this off on his own but when he thought another guy was going to fly over from the USA to aid and abet him he probably thought that it was feasible. In addition to everything else, I don't think he has much in the way of common sense.

 

[Prince fan 1999]

I didn’t actually give this story much attention when it was first reported, but I’ve been listening to the podcast and it’s just horrible.

I’ve not been a Holly fan over the last few years and probably even rolled my eyes and assumed she was using this as an excuse to shy away from other negative things that’ve been said about her, but tbh I completely see why she’d step back from the public eye after this. It’s very sickening.

Same. All this coming out was very questionable, and if I'm honest I didn't believe it. Listened to the 1st podcast yesterday and the guy obviously needs locking up

 

[Unicorn_Poop]

I didn’t actually give this story much attention when it was first reported, but I’ve been listening to the podcast and it’s just horrible.

I’ve not been a Holly fan over the last few years and probably even rolled my eyes and assumed she was using this as an excuse to shy away from other negative things that’ve been said about her, but tbh I completely see why she’d step back from the public eye after this. It’s very sickening.

Same. I only realised it was happening as I had podcast notifications on from the Constance Marten & Mark Gordon trial.
Its really depraved stuff - it must be terrifying for her and others in the public eye

 

[Pulltheotherone]

Nobody with a brain cell clearly.
Apart from the fact he’s dangerous and daft as a brush he’s MASSIVE.
Even I could run away from him !

 

[Miggsy]

I’m no Holly fan but I really feel for her. Imagine finding this out. What a psycho. However long he’s locked up for it won’t be long enough.

 

[Shimmering]

Watching The Big Case ten minute synopsis of the case (it's on iplayer).

Extremely disturbing. Like others I assumed it was exaggerated by the newspapers for dramatic effect but it is beyond scary and much worse than what I had presumed.

 

[Droosie123]

Not to make light of this at all but when he is acting innocent in that arrest video he sounds like Smithy from Gavin and Stacey!

Totally agree though as much as people were laughing at the time about his physical appearance his track record says otherwise, definitely a real danger!

God it wasn’t just me then

 

[Unicorn_Poop]

Which podcast? I'm always looking for recommendations.

 

[Pulltheotherone]

Or me … it reminded me of the scene where they are all ordering a curry !