Luke Ford, a 35-year-old Scottish man, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of heinous charges involving abuse against multiple women. Ford, who once served as a body double for Hollywood star Brad Pitt during the filming of “World War Z” in Glasgow, was found guilty of rape, among other charges.
Over a span of 12 years, Ford used dating apps to meet women, whom he then subjected to a range of physical and sexual abuses. His methods of abuse were varied and severe, including strangling one partner, smashing another’s head against a car window, and slapping a woman hard across the face. Ford also engaged in blackmail, threatening to distribute intimate photographs to his victims’ employers or families.
Scottish Police Detective Inspector Steven Gray described Ford as “a dangerous and manipulative sexual predator,” emphasizing the relief that his incarceration might bring to his victims. “I hope that knowing he is now behind bars for his crimes helps them continue to move forward with their lives,” Gray said.
Among the charges, Ford was convicted of “stealthing,” which is legally defined as not using a protective condom during sexual intercourse without the partner’s knowledge or consent, constituting rape. This particular conviction marks the first prosecution of its kind in Scotland.
The case involved Ford deceiving a woman he met on Tinder in 2017. She had explicitly asked him to use protection to avoid pregnancy, to which Ford initially agreed. However, he later admitted to not using the condom, leaving the victim “shocked and upset.” When confronted, Ford dismissed her concerns by calling her “paranoid” and advised her to take an emergency contraceptive pill.
The court heard how Ford had leveraged his minor fame as Brad Pitt’s stand-in to gain the trust of his victims. One anonymous victim described Ford as a “master manipulator,” reflecting on the aftermath of her experience. “I would say it’s taken me a long time to get over what happened and say that life is good now,” she said.
Ford’s case has not only brought significant attention to the issue of “stealthing” but also highlighted the manipulative tactics used by abusers. His conviction stands as a landmark in Scottish legal history for addressing this form of sexual assault, urging public awareness and legal accountability for such offenses.
In a statement, the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland confirmed the sentencing, emphasizing the seriousness of Ford’s crimes. “Luke Ford’s actions were a gross abuse of trust and caused significant harm to his victims,” the statement read. “We hope that this sentencing brings some measure of closure to those affected by his crimes.”
As Ford begins his 16-year prison sentence, his victims and their families are left to pick up the pieces and rebuild their lives. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
