Serial Abuser Sentenced to 16 Years, Including First Scottish “Stealthing” Conviction

An individual convicted of multiple rapes has received a 16-year prison sentence for numerous crimes against women, among them several former partners. Luke Ford, with 19 convictions, has been found guilty of what is understood to be Scotland’s initial case of “stealthing”—the act of removing or not using a condom without a sexual partner’s awareness. Ford, aged 35 and hailing from Stirling, received his sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh for abusive conduct towards nine women, six of whom he raped. It was determined that over a span of 12 years, he subjected his victims to physical, psychological, and sexual mistreatment. This included acts such as strangulation, forcefully hitting one partner’s head against a car window, and striking another forcefully across the face. Additionally, he was found to have photographed several women, frequently without their consent, subsequently threatening to disseminate these images to their employers or relatives unless they complied with his demands. Detective Inspector Steven Gray of Police Scotland characterized Ford as “a dangerous and manipulative sexual predator”. The specific “stealthing” incident involved a woman he encountered through the dating application Tinder. Following several dates, they conversed about engaging in sexual activity. The woman stipulated that he must use a condom, yet after intercourse, he informed her he had not used one. He advised her to use emergency contraception or undergo an abortion should she become pregnant. His text message stated: “Just get the pill and if you are pregnant get rid of it.” The woman experienced distress and trauma, labeling Ford’s conduct as a “violation”. Prior to this, only two successful prosecutions for stealthing had occurred in the UK: one in England in 2019 and another earlier in the current year. During the court proceedings, Ford was identified as a “jobbing” actor and model who targeted women encountered through dating applications. He claimed to have been a stand-in for Brad Pitt during the filming of World War Z in Glasgow in 2013, and also featured in a Deacon Blue music video. Multiple victims recounted Ford’s abusive and manipulative actions, which led to their isolation from friends and family and instilled fear for their personal safety. Detective Inspector Gray noted that the victims’ testimonies “vastly contributed” to Ford’s conviction. He further stated: “I hope that knowing he is now behind bars for his crimes helps them continue to move forward with their lives.” Katrina Parkes, Scotland’s Procurator Fiscal for High Court Sexual Offending, commented that Ford was ready to employ manipulation, coercion, or intimidation to perpetrate his abuse. She remarked: “He showed disregard for the importance of consent between partners.” She continued: “It is significant that amongst the many offences he committed our prosecutors were able to prove rape in Ford’s failure to use a condom during sex – without the consent of his then-partner.” She also expressed hope that his victims would experience “relief” following the sentencing. Legal representatives for Ford and the Crown had deliberated on whether he should be subjected to a lifelong restriction order. Lord Summers, presiding at the High Court in Edinburgh, chose not to impose the order, stating there was “reason to think” Ford might be receptive to rehabilitation, referencing his comparative youth and readiness to participate in educational programs. Lord Summers informed Ford that he would undergo five years of supervision upon his release from incarceration. Ford was additionally added to the Sex Offenders Register permanently. Stealthing refers to the act where a man takes off a condom during sexual intercourse despite having consented to wear it. Legal professionals and advocates characterize it as “non-consensual condom removal during sexual intercourse”. In simpler terms, this involves removing or intentionally damaging it during sex without informing the other individual. Organizations supporting victims assert that it should be classified as rape due to the lack of consent from the other party, and highlight it as a significantly under-reported issue. A study conducted in 2017 by Alexandra Brodsky, published in the Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, cautioned that it represented an escalating problem. The report indicates that it “exposes victims to physical risks of pregnancy and disease” and is “experienced by many as a grave violation of dignity”. It further states that “apart from the fear of specific bad outcomes like pregnancy and STIs, all of the survivors experienced the condom removal as a disempowering, demeaning violation of a sexual agreement”. Assistance and guidance are available via BBC Action Line. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.