A Scottish actor who once served as Brad Pitt's body double faces serious consequences for his predatory behavior spanning over a decade.

According to People, Luke Ford, 35, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by the High Court in Edinburgh after being found guilty of 19 sex crime charges, including rape through "stealthing,"  the first conviction of its kind in Scotland.

The amateur actor, who worked as Pitt's body double during the filming of "World War Z" in Glasgow in 2013, systematically targeted women through dating apps over 12 years. His crimes included physical assault, sexual abuse, and blackmail attempts against multiple victims.

Pattern of Predatory Behavior

Ford's criminal acts demonstrated a calculated approach to victimizing women he met online. He would initially present himself as charming, even bragging about his connection to Hollywood, before subjecting his victims to various forms of abuse.

His actions included strangling, physical assault, and threatening to expose intimate photographs to victims' employers and families.

Detective Inspector Steven Gray of the Scottish Police stated:

Ford is a dangerous and manipulative sexual predator. I hope that knowing he is now behind bars for his crimes helps them continue to move forward with their lives.

One of Ford's most serious offenses involved "stealthing," where he deliberately violated a sexual partner's consent by removing protection without her knowledge.

The victim, who met Ford through Tinder in 2017, provided explicit instructions about using protection to prevent pregnancy.

Victim Impact and Legal Precedent

The consequences of Ford's actions left lasting trauma on his victims. One survivor, speaking anonymously to STV News, described Ford as a "master manipulator" who heavily emphasized his Hollywood connections. She revealed that it took considerable time to recover from her experience with him.

The conviction marks a significant legal milestone in Scotland, as it represents the first successful prosecution for "stealthing" in the country's history. This sets an important precedent for future cases involving similar violations of sexual consent.

The victim from the stealthing incident described how Ford attempted to gaslight her after the assault, dismissing her concerns as paranoid and instructing her to take emergency contraception instead of acknowledging his violation of consent.

Justice Served After Years of Abuse

Luke Ford's conviction on 19 separate charges reflects the extensive nature of his criminal behavior. The 16-year sentence handed down by the Edinburgh High Court acknowledges the severity and repeated nature of his offenses against multiple women.

The case has shed light on the evolving understanding of sexual consent and assault in Scottish law. Ford's conviction for stealthing, in particular, establishes a legal framework for prosecuting similar violations in the future.

His victims can now find some closure knowing that their abuser will spend significant time behind bars, though the emotional impact of his actions continues to resonate with those he harmed.

Why This Story Matters

This distressing case highlights critical societal and legal challenges. It uncovers the grim reality of how digital platforms can be manipulated by predators and underscores the necessity of stricter safety measures and legal repercussions in the digital dating arena.

This story serves as a somber reminder for the community of the importance of safeguarding personal integrity and trust within technological interactions.

In conclusion, Luke Ford’s heinous acts have not only resulted in effective legal consequences but have also ignited important conversations about trust, consent, and security in modern dating landscapes.

The case underscores the imperative need for rigorous legal frameworks to tackle emerging forms of digital and sexual abuse, advocating for a safer, more respectful society.