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Man behind viral dress photo admits attacking woman

Theo

image source, Roman originals

image description, The original snapshot on the left that sparked the debate, and a “Photoshopped” version that better represents the true color.

A man whose photo of a dress he bought for his wedding “broke the internet” has admitted violently attacking his wife.

A court heard how 38-year-old Keir Johnston pushed his wife Grace to the ground, choked her and brandished a knife at their home on a small Scottish island.

The couple attracted global media attention nine years ago when an image of a dress worn by the bride’s mother at her wedding sparked an Internet debate about its color.

People disagreed about whether it was black and blue or white and gold. The dress was actually black and blue, but some people who viewed the poor quality snap felt otherwise.

The couple then appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where they were presented with $10,000 and a luxury trip to Grenada.

But the High Court in Glasgow heard Johnston had abused his wife in the past.

Prosecutor Chris Macintosh told the court that Johnston was drinking at a pub quiz on the Isle of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides on March 6, 2022.

His wife – who had been elsewhere – returned home after receiving strange text messages from him complaining that she hadn’t done enough to support him.

She found him sleeping in the hut, but he woke up and told her that he was leaving her.

As she walked outside, he followed her, pinning her to the ground with his knees on her arms.

“He then began strangling her with both hands,” Mr Macintosh said.

“At first she could scream. She feared for her life and believed Johnston was planning to kill her. He was very energetic.”

“My husband is trying to kill me”

A witness heard her screams and tried to pull Johnston away.

He initially stopped and went back inside, but then stormed back out and threatened to “finish” his wife before choking her again. He was also seen holding a knife.

Ms Johnston sent text messages to her friends asking for help, the court was told.

She eventually dialed 999 and told the operator: “My husband is trying to kill me.”

During the attack she suffered visible bruising to her neck.

Johnston, a petrol station attendant who now lives in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, was due to stand trial but changed his plea and admitted causing physical harm to his wife and endangering her life.

He applied through his lawyer for further bail, but Judge Lady Drummond remanded him in custody pending sentencing.

She told him: “They repeatedly strangled her, injured her and put her life in danger in what must have been absolutely horrific circumstances for her.”

“I am afraid Mr Johnston that your status has now changed, you have been convicted of a very serious crime and will be remanded in custody in the meantime.”

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