EDINBURGH, UK. (THECOUNT) — Luke Ford, a 35-year-old Scottish man from Stirling, once served as a body double for Hollywood star Brad Pitt during the filming of the 2013 movie “World War Z” in Glasgow, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by the High Court in Edinburgh. This sentencing follows a series of heinous charges involving abuse against multiple women, including rape, as confirmed by a statement from the Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland.
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; he strangled one partner, smashed another’s head against a car window, slapped a woman hard across the face, and engaged in blackmail by threatening to distribute intimate photographs to his victims’ employers or families, according to reports from the BBC.
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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, stating, “I hope that knowing he is now behind bars for his crimes helps them continue to move forward with their lives.”
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, saying, “good idea.” However, he later admitted to not using the condom, leaving the victim “shocked and upset,” as she recounted to The Times of London, “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 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 told STV News, “He genuinely thought he was going to be the next Brad Pitt. I think there were multiple stunt doubles, but the way that he spun it, it looked like he was Brad Pitt’s one-and-only stunt double.” She further 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.”
Ford’s case has not only brought significant attention to the issue of “stealthing” but also highlighted the manipulative tactics used by abusers, casting a dark shadow over his brief association with Hollywood glamour. 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.
Edinburgh is Scotland’s compact, hilly capital. It has a medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, used in the coronation of Scottish rulers. Arthur’s Seat is an imposing peak in Holyrood Park with sweeping views, and Calton Hill is topped with monuments and memorials.
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