Luke Ford sentenced to 16 years for sexual offenses including Scotland's first stealthing conviction

Luke Ford, 35, an actor who claimed to have worked as a body double for Brad Pitt, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of sexual offenses, including Scotland’s first "stealthing" prosecution. Stealthing refers to removing a condom during sex without the partner’s knowledge or consent, which Ford was convicted of during his trial. According to a report by Sky News, he was found guilty of 19 charges, including the rape of six women and the attempted rape of another, spanning over 12 years from 2008 to 2020.

Ford, a self-described jobbing actor and model, allegedly used dating apps to exploit women. He showered them with affection initially, only to later manipulate and control them. One of the victims testified that Ford ignored her explicit request to use a condom during sex. When she expressed concern about potentially being pregnant, Ford dismissed her and told her to take the morning-after pill.

The trial also uncovered further abuse, including incidents where Ford strangled a partner, slammed one victim’s head against a car window, and took intimate videos and photos without consent. Ford allegedly threatened to expose these images to his victims' families and employers if they did not comply with his demands.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Ford was sentenced to a 21-year extended term, with 16 years in jail and five years on license. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely and banned from contacting his victims. Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for high court sexual offenses, hoped that Ford's conviction would offer some relief to the victims, acknowledging their courage and strength throughout the case .