Luke Ford Jailed for 16 Years for Serial Abuse and 'Stealthing' Conviction
Luke Ford, a serial rapist from Stirling, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of offences spanning 12 years, including the physical, mental, and sexual abuse of nine women, six of whom he raped.
The 35-year-old's 19 convictions include Scotland's first known conviction for "stealthing" — the non-consensual removal or non-use of a condom during sex.
Ford subjected his victims to extreme abuse, including strangulation, smashing a partner's head against a car window, and slapping another in the face. He also took intimate photos of several women, often without their consent, and threatened to share the images with their families or employers if they did not comply with his demands.
Scotland's First Stealthing Conviction
The "stealthing" charge related to a woman Ford met on Tinder. After agreeing to have sex on the condition that he wore a condom, Ford later revealed that he had not used one. He callously told the woman to take the morning-after pill or terminate any resulting pregnancy, texting her: "Just get the pill, and if you are pregnant, get rid of it."
The woman described the incident as a "violation" and was left deeply traumatised. This conviction marks only the third successful prosecution for stealthing in the UK, following two cases in England in 2019 and earlier this year.
A Pattern of Manipulation and Control
Ford, who worked as a part-time actor and model, met many of his victims through dating apps. He boasted about being a stand-in for Brad Pitt during the filming of World War Z in Glasgow and appearing in a Deacon Blue music video.
Several victims testified to Ford's controlling and isolating behaviour, which left them fearful for their safety and estranged from friends and family.
Detective Inspector Steven Gray of Police Scotland described Ford as a "dangerous and manipulative sexual predator," adding that the courage of the victims in sharing their experiences was pivotal to his conviction.
Sentencing and Lifelong Restrictions
The court considered imposing an order for lifelong restriction but ultimately decided against it. Lord Summers, presiding over the case at the High Court in Edinburgh, cited Ford's relative youth and potential willingness to reform as reasons for the decision.
In addition to his 16-year prison sentence, Ford will face five years of supervision upon release and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Katrina Parkes, Scotland's Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, highlighted the significance of Ford's conviction, particularly for stealthing. She stated: "Ford showed complete disregard for the importance of consent between partners. His sentence reflects the gravity of his actions."
Parkes expressed hope that the verdict would bring some relief to Ford's victims as they continue to rebuild their lives.
