‘Body double’ of Brad Pitt sentenced to 16 years in Scotland’s first conviction for ‘Stealthing’ – Times of India

‘Body double’ of Brad Pitt sentenced to 16 years in Scotland’s first conviction for ‘Stealthing’ (Picture credit: ANI, X/@PSOSEdinburgh)

Luke Ford, a 35-year-old actor who once claimed to be a ‘body double’ for Brad Pitt, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for deceiving women into believing that he wore a condom during sex.
Ford’s conviction for “stealthing”, the act of removing a condom during sex without a partner’s consent, is believed to be the first one in Scotland. This act is categorised as rape under UK law, reported the Sky News.
Decade-long campaign of abuse
Ford, originally from Stirling, was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow of 19 charges, including the rape of six women, the attempted rape of another, and a slew of abusive behaviours spanning 12 years from 2008 to 2020.
The victims described enduring physical, mental, and sexual abuse, as well as financial exploitation and coercion.
Prosecutors revealed Ford used dating apps to target women, initially showering them with affection before manipulating and controlling them. His abuse included assaults such as strangulation and threats to release intimate photos and videos he covertly recorded.
‘Stealthing’ conviction
The Stealthing conviction centred on a case from 2017, where Ford met a woman on Tinder.
After several dates, they discussed having sex, with the victim stipulating that he must use protection. Ford agreed, replying, “Good idea.”
However, he later admitted to not using the condom handed to him by the woman.
According to Sky News, the victim testified, “I was shocked and upset. I would not have had sex with him without a condom. I asked him to leave. I felt completely violated.”
When she expressed concern about a potential pregnancy, Ford dismissed her as “paranoid” and callously suggested she “just get the pill” or terminate the pregnancy if it occurred.
Beyond the Stealthing case, Ford was found guilty of numerous violent acts, including smashing one victim’s head against a car window and slapping another. Victims also reported being isolated from family and friends, further cementing his control over them.
Sentencing and court remarks
Lord Summers sentenced Ford to a 21-year extended sentence, consisting of 16 years in custody and five years on license. While considering imposing an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR), the judge ultimately opted for the extended sentence due to Ford’s lack of prior convictions and his reported “willingness to accept the wrongfulness” of his actions.
“I have reason to think you may be amenable to change,” said Lord Summers. However, he acknowledged the likelihood that Ford could “seriously endanger” women upon release, noting the extended sentence would better manage that risk.
Ford was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and prohibited from contacting his victims.
Detective Inspector Steven Gray of Police Scotland described Ford as a “manipulative sexual predator.”
Prosecutor Katrina Parkes commended the courage of the victims, stating, “Luke Ford is a serial offender who demonstrated no respect for the consent of his victims. This conviction highlights the Crown’s commitment to securing justice for survivors of sexual violence.”
Parkes emphasized the significance of the Stealthing conviction, noting, “This demonstrates our evolving approach to prosecuting sexual offences, ensuring all avenues are used to hold offenders accountable.”