Scottish man behind ‘dress that broke the internet’ pleads guilty to assaulting wife
The man behind ‘the dress’ photo, which became an online sensation when it went viral in 2015, has admitted to assaulting his wife.
Before a court in Glasgow this week, Keir Johnston, 38, pleaded guilty to endangering the life of his wife Grace during an incident that dates back to 2022. He has been remanded in custody to be sentenced next month.
The Johnstons came to fame in 2015 when they posted a photo on Tumblr of the dress – an image which had originally been sent to the couple by Grace’s mother as a dress option for their wedding.
Confusion between the Scottish family led to their friend Caitlin McNeill sharing the photo on Tumblr and asking for responses on whether it was blue and black or white and gold.
The internet couldn’t agree on what colour the dress was which led to academics wading in to explain that cognitive assumptions made about light was the reason for it.
The pair appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and were then treated to a week in Grenada by the show’s producers after cutting their honeymoon short due to the media attention.
Glasgow High Court heard that Johnston, a petrol station attendant, threatened his wife in March 2022 before pinning her to the ground and choking her. He also brandished a knife, the Telegraph reported.
The couple lived in the Isle of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides, where the lack of police presence led Mrs Johnston to text family for help when she was attacked.
Judge Lady Drummond told him: “You repeatedly strangled her, injured her and put her life in danger in what must have been absolutely terrifying circumstances for her.
“I am afraid, Mr Johnston, that your status has now changed, you have been convicted of a very serious crime and you will be remanded meantime.”
Prosecutor Chris Macintosh said, according to reports, that Johnston had been drinking and returned home to tell his wife he was going to leave her.
He said: “She was initially able to scream. She feared for her life and believed Johnston intended to kill her. He was very forceful.”
A witness heard screams, Mr Macintosh said.
It is understood the couple have separated. The sentencing will be at the same court on June 6.