Keir Johnston: Man behind ‘dress that broke the internet’ jailed for attacking his wife | UK news

Keir and Grace Johnston made headlines around the world in 2015 when a picture of a dress worn by the bride’s mother at her wedding sparked an online debate about its color.

The man behind the viral “dress that broke the internet” has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for brutally attacking and strangling his wife.

Keir Johnston, 38, pushed his partner Grace to the ground, choked her and brandished a knife in their home on the island of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides in March 2022.

Lady Drummond stated before the Supreme Court in Glasgow that Johnston strangled his wife for about 20 seconds.

The judge said: “At first she was able to scream. She feared for her life and believed you wanted to kill her.”

“They were very violent. The choking lasted about 20 seconds. She didn’t lose consciousness, but she felt like she was close to it.”

The couple made headlines earlier around the world in 2015, when a picture of a dress worn by the bride’s mother at her wedding sparked an online debate about its color.

Some saw the dress in black and blue, which was correct, while others saw it in white and gold.

Millions of people around the world, including celebrities, took part in the debate about the dress, which was nicknamed “the dress that broke the Internet.”

People like Taylor SwiftDemi Lovato and Justin Bieber looked black and blue, while Anna Kendrick, Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian saw white and gold.

The Johnstons even appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where they received $10,000 and a luxury trip to Grenada.

However, the court heard that Johnston had abused his wife before.

On the day of the attack, Johnston had been drinking at a pub quiz while his wife was elsewhere.

Prosecutor Chris Macintosh said Mrs Johnston had received text messages from her husband complaining that she was not doing enough for him.

Mrs. Johnston, who had been on the mainland for business a few days earlier, returned home to find her husband asleep.

When he woke up, he told her he was leaving her.

The couple ended up outside, where Johnston pinned his wife to the ground with his knees on her arms. He then began to strangle her with both hands.

A witness heard her screams and tried to pull Johnston away. He initially stopped, but then came back and was seen holding a knife.

Lady Drummond said: “They came back outside and threatened to kill her.”

Johnston was also heard saying, “Someone is going to die.”

Mrs Johnston sent messages to friends begging for help, but eventually dialled 999 and told the operator: “My husband is trying to kill me.”

As a result of the attack, Ms Johnston suffered visible bruising on her neck.

Johnston pleaded guilty last month to assaulting his wife, causing injury and endangering her life.

The petrol station attendant from Moffat in Dumfriesshire was remanded in custody by Lady Drummond ahead of his sentencing on Thursday.

Johnston was supported in court by his family and friends, including his mother and his new partner.

Defence counsel Marco Guarino urged Lady Drummond to go all out when he asked for a suspended sentence for his client, suggesting a community fine with “long probation” and a restriction of liberty order.

Mr Guarino said: “Two people who are obviously in love with each other cannot exist together.”

He added: “It became clear that their lifestyles were diverging.”

The lawyer said the couple “should have separated” instead of continuing to fight, adding: “It was probably their love that kept them together.”

Mr Guarino said Johnston made “no attempt” to shift blame for the attack and he was aware of the negative impact his actions had had on everyone affected.

Lady Drummond noted the character references provided and acknowledged that Johnston had made “positive contributions” to his local community.

The judge found that Johnston had previously worked hard, had no other convictions, and suffered from acute stress reaction and adjustment disorder.

She added that he had taken steps to change his behavior, including voluntarily attending therapy, and that he had “shown remorse and insight” when discussing the incident with professionals.

However, Lady Drummond stated that Johnston had previously been violent towards the woman, including attempting to strangle her.

The judge stated: “It is medically recognized that external pressure on the neck through strangulation can lead to unconsciousness, reduced brain function and ultimately to suffocation and death.”

“The application of low pressure can cause unconsciousness within five to ten seconds. Death can occur within a few minutes.”

“Strangulation is an inherently dangerous and life-threatening act.”

The woman is said to have suffered “emotionally, psychologically and financially.”

Lady Drummond said: “She declares that the effects of your actions will last forever.”

“The only appropriate punishment for a crime of this severity is a prison sentence.”

In addition to the 54-month prison sentence, Johnston was also given a restraining order prohibiting him from having any contact with the complainant for the next ten years.