Luke Ford: Actor who claimed he was 'Brad Pitt body double' jailed for rapes - including secretly not using condom

An actor, who alleged that he served as a body double for Brad Pitt, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for multiple sexual offenses, including rape, because he secretly had unprotected sex without consent.

This case marks the first prosecution in Scotland for "stealthing," a term that refers to the act of taking off a condom or not using one without the other person's awareness.

Luke Ford, who is 35 years old, claimed he did nothing wrong; however, he was convicted of multiple offenses last year after a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was found guilty of 19 counts of mistreating nine female partners, which included the rape of six women and an attempted rape of another.

The jurors were informed about how he instilled fear in his victims for a span of 12 years, from 2008 to 2020, inflicting physical, emotional, and sexual harm upon them.

Ford was reportedly a freelance actor and model who featured in a music video by Deacon Blue. He also stated that he stood in for Brad Pitt in the 2013 movie World War Z, which had some scenes filmed in Glasgow.

During the trial, evidence was presented showing how he targeted women on dating apps. He initially overwhelmed them with affection, only to later manipulate, control, and exploit them for financial gain.

"I felt utterly disrespected."

In the incident involving "stealthing," it was reported that Ford connected with a woman on Tinder in 2017. After going on several dates together, they talked about the possibility of being intimate.

The woman sent a message to Ford asking him to use protection since she wanted to avoid the chance of getting pregnant. He is said to have responded, "That's a smart idea."

While they were in bed, the woman gave him a condom, but he later confessed that he didn’t actually use it.

She expressed to the court, "I was in disbelief and very distressed. I never would have engaged in sexual activity with him without a condom. I told him to go. I felt utterly violated."

The following day, when she brought up her worry about possibly being pregnant, he brushed her off, calling her "paranoid." He downplayed the situation, saying it was "not a big deal" and suggested she just take the morning-after pill.

He allegedly sent a message saying: "Just get the pill, and if you're pregnant, terminate it."

Aggressive assaults and private recordings

Ford was found guilty of several violent incidents, which included choking, violently striking a partner's head against a car window, and hard slapping another partner in the face.

He recorded personal videos and took private photos of his partners, frequently without their knowledge, and he would intimidate them by saying he would share those images with their bosses and family members if they didn't comply with his demands.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) reported that multiple victims recounted feeling cut off from their loved ones and friends due to Ford's abusive and manipulative actions.

He was additionally found guilty of having extreme pornographic material that featured bestiality.

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Could potentially put women at serious risk once more.

Ford, who is originally from Stirling, received his sentence from Lord Summers at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

The judge considered whether to impose a lifelong restriction order (OLR) but ultimately decided to give the defendant a 21-year extended sentence. This includes 16 years in prison followed by five years under supervision once they are released into the community.

Lord Summers mentioned that he was discouraged from applying an OLR because of several factors, such as Ford's clean record and his acknowledgment of the wrongdoing in his actions.

The judge remarked, "Although this isn't the main point, I believe it shows that you are beginning to understand the reality of your actions instead of placing the blame on the victims."

Ford reportedly chose to participate in several educational programs while in prison, aimed at helping him understand the reasons behind his criminal actions.

Lord Summers mentioned that he had grounds to believe Ford might be open to making some adjustments.

The judge pointed out that the evidence indicates there is a significant chance he could pose a serious risk to the public, particularly to women, if he were to be released.

Lord Summers stated that the potential risks will be "most effectively handled" by the longer sentence.

Ford was added to the sex offenders' list for an indefinite period and prohibited from reaching out to his victims.

Detective Inspector Steven Gray from Police Scotland described Ford as a "manipulative sexual predator."

Katrina Parkes, Scotland's legal representative for serious sexual offenses, stated, "Luke Ford is a repeat offender who showed a complete disregard for the consent of his victims."

He was ready to resort to manipulation, coercion, or intimidation to perpetrate his mistreatment. He demonstrated a complete lack of respect for the significance of mutual consent in relationships.

"I truly hope that the numerous individuals affected by this difficult situation can find some comfort knowing that Ford is being held responsible for his actions. I admire their bravery and resilience."