Luke Ford, a 35-year-old actor who claimed to have worked as a body double for Brad Pitt, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for multiple sexual offenses, including Scotland’s first “stealthing” conviction. Stealthing involves removing a condom during sex without the partner’s consent, a crime Ford was found guilty of. Over a span of 12 years (2008-2020), he was convicted on 19 charges, including the rape of six women and the attempted rape of another.
Ford, who described himself as an actor and model, allegedly used dating apps to manipulate and control his victims. He initially charmed them with affection before coercing them into sexual acts. One victim recalled Ford ignoring her request to use a condom during sex, and after she expressed concerns about pregnancy, Ford callously dismissed her, advising her to take the morning-after pill.
The trial also revealed further abuse, including incidents where Ford strangled a victim, slammed another’s head against a car window, and took intimate photos and videos without consent. He allegedly threatened to expose these images to the victims’ families and employers if they did not comply with his demands.
At the High Court in Edinburgh, Ford was handed a 21-year extended sentence, which includes 16 years in prison and five years on license. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and is prohibited from contacting his victims. Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for high court sexual offenses, expressed hope that Ford’s conviction would provide some relief to the victims, acknowledging their courage throughout the case.
