Luke Ford, a 35-year-old Scottish actor who served as a body double for Brad Pitt, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by the High Court in Edinburgh. Ford faced 19 charges, including rape, attempted rape, physical assault, and possession of extreme sexual abuse images. Among the charges was "stealthing," the act of removing a condom without a partner's consent, which has been legally classified as rape in Scotland, making this conviction the first of its kind in the country.
The court heard harrowing accounts from multiple women who testified about Ford's predatory behavior. Over a period of 12 years, Ford targeted women he met on dating apps, subjecting them to a range of abuses, including strangulation, physical violence, and threats of blackmail. His actions left a lasting impact on the lives of his victims, several of whom described him as a "master manipulator" who exploited his association with the film industry to gain their trust.
One victim recounted meeting Ford on Tinder in 2017, where he initially appeared charming and trustworthy. She testified that she had explicitly handed him a condom before they engaged in intercourse, only to later discover that he had intentionally not used it. "I was shocked and upset," she told the court. "I would not have had sex with him without a condom. I asked him to leave. I felt completely violated." When confronted, Ford dismissed her concerns, calling her "paranoid" and urging her to take emergency contraception.
Ford's abusive behavior extended beyond physical acts. Prosecutors revealed that he often used intimate photographs of his victims as leverage, threatening to share them with their employers or families. The investigation, which began in 2020 following an assault report, uncovered a pattern of predatory behavior that eventually led to Ford's arrest in 2021 and conviction in May 2023.
Ford's acting career, which included uncredited roles in World War Z, The Dark Knight Rises, and Mary Queen of Scots, was central to his manipulation of victims. He falsely portrayed himself as a rising star, exaggerating his role as Brad Pitt's body double to bolster his image. One victim testified that Ford "genuinely thought he was going to be the next Brad Pitt," describing how he spun tales to make himself appear more successful than he truly was.
The sentencing marks a significant legal milestone in Scotland, particularly with the inclusion of stealthing among the charges. Detective Inspector Steven Gray of the Scottish Police emphasized the importance of recognizing such acts as violations of consent. "Ford is a dangerous and manipulative sexual predator," Gray stated. "I hope that knowing he is now behind bars for his crimes helps [the victims] continue to move forward with their lives."
The court heard additional accounts of Ford's violent tendencies, including incidents where he strangled women and smashed a partner's head against a car window. These acts were part of a broader pattern of coercive control and abuse that Ford exercised over his victims. Despite the severity of his crimes, Ford's demeanor during the trial reportedly reflected little remorse, further underscoring the manipulative nature of his character.
Victims have expressed mixed emotions about the sentencing. While many feel a sense of relief that Ford will no longer be able to harm others, the trauma of his actions remains. One woman shared, "It's taken me a long time to get over what happened, but life is good now." She encouraged others who have experienced similar violations to come forward, emphasizing the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
