The man behind ‘The Dress that Broke The Internet’ was today sentenced to four years in prison for pushing his wife to the ground and strangling her before brandishing a knife and saying: ‘Someone is dying’.
Keir Johnston, 39, violently attacked Grace Johnston at their remote home on the island of Colonsay, Inner Hebrides, in March 2022.
Desperate, she sent messages to friends begging for help as she knew it would take too long for police to reach them, before finally calling 911 and shouting into the phone: “My husband is trying to kill me.”
The terrifying attack, on March 6, 2022, happened seven years after the couple gained worldwide fame for the dress the bride’s mother wore to their wedding.
It sparked a global debate over its colors, with people unable to decide whether it was black and blue or white and gold.
Keir Johnston (right) with Grace Johnston (center) and his mother-in-law, in ‘The Dress That Broke The Internet’
The dress (pictured) gained worldwide fame after internet users were divided over whether the dress was black or blue
It was nicknamed ‘The Dress That Broke the Internet’ after a photo of the garment was shared online.
The couple then appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where they were given $10,000 and a luxury trip to Grenada.
But a judge yesterday heard of a history of “domestic violence” by Johnston towards his wife.
The petrol station attendant pleaded guilty to assaulting Mrs Johnston causing her injuries and endangering her life.
Judge Lady Drummond said Johnston strangled Grace for 20 seconds.
She continued: ‘In her victim impact statement she discussed the emotional and psychological impact your behavior had on her.
‘She is suffering in several aspects of her life: emotionally, psychologically and financially.
“The impact of your actions will last forever. She cannot understand your lack of remorse or empathy towards her.
‘I have taken into account all the information and considered the proposition that the court can deal with this with a community order.
“I’m afraid the only appropriate punishment for a crime like this is a prison sentence.”
A 10-year harassment order was also issued, restricting Johnston’s contact with Grace.
Prosecutor Chris Macintosh told how it was accepted that Grace had previously experienced domestic violence – including her husband trying to strangle her – before the attack in 2022.
He said: ‘There is no permanent police presence on the island and she found herself in a situation where she felt trapped.’
Days before the attack, Grace had gone to the mainland for a job against Johnston’s wishes.
The couple appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where they were given a luxury £8,000 tip to Grenada.
Hours before the attack, Johnston had attended a pub quiz and sent her ‘strange text messages’, including a saying: ‘You should support me, but you don’t.’
A ‘worried’ Grace returned home to find her husband there.
Mr Macintosh said: “Johnston woke up and said he was leaving her. She left the building to prevent him from leaving.
‘He followed her and pinned her to the ground. He placed both knees on her arms so she couldn’t move. He then began to strangle her with both hands.
“She could scream at first. She feared for her life and believed Johnston intended to kill her. He was very powerful.”
A witness heard the screams and tried to pull Johnston away.
He initially stopped and went back inside, but stormed out again and threatened to ‘finish her off’ before choking her again and grabbing a knife.
Grace managed to ‘keep her distance’ because she thought he was going to stab her. After receiving no response from friends, she called 999.
A witness later arrived at the home and found Grace “crying and hyperventilating.”
Johnston was found under a desk in his cottage, still holding a knife. At one point he briefly put the knife to his throat, but the weapon was taken from him.
Celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift joined the clothing debate in 2015
Grace suffered ‘visible’ bruises and marks on her neck as a result of the attack, but fortunately did not require medical treatment.
The court heard Johnston later ‘alluded to previous episodes of marital violence’ when speaking to a doctor.
He also described bouts of “emotional distress” since he was a child.
Marco Guarino, defending, asked Lady Drummond if she would consider a non-custodial sentence.
The lawyer said: ‘No attempt has been made today to give him an apology for what he has done.
‘He understands how he got into this situation and it is clear from the start what would have happened if they had to split up.
‘This was a relationship that was far too volatile for each other, it became clear that their lifestyles were diverging and he couldn’t deal with that.
‘He has acted in such a way that he must be punished. That punishment does not have to be detention, because there is a lack of background and there is nothing special.
“There was an emotional response from him to what he did and what he caused.”