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Man whose mother-in-law wore 'The Dress That Broke The Internet' to his wedding is jailed for four years: Keir Johnston pinned his wife to the ground, choked her and brandished a knife
The man behind 'The Dress that Broke The Internet' was today sentenced to four years in prison for pinning his wife to the ground and strangling her before brandishing a knife and saying, 'Someone is going to die'.
Keir Johnston, 39, violently assaulted Grace Johnston at their isolated home on the Isle of Colonsay, Inner Hebrides, in March 2022.
She desperately sent messages to friends begging for help because she knew it would take police too long to reach them, before eventually dialling 999 and yelling down the phone: 'My husband is trying to kill me.'
The terrifying attack, on March 6, 2022, came seven years after the couple gained worldwide fame for the dress the mother of the bride wore at their wedding.
It sparked a global debate over its colours, with people left unable to decide whether it was black and blue or white and gold.
It was nicknamed 'The Dress That Broke the Internet' after a photo of the garment was shared online.
The couple went on to appear on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where they were handed $10,000 and a luxury trip to Grenada.
But a judge yesterday heard of a history of 'domestic abuse' at the hands of Johnston towards his wife.
The petrol station attendant pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Ms Johnston to her injury and the danger of life.
Judge Lady Drummond said Johnston strangled Grace for 20 seconds.
She continued: 'In her victim impact statement, she went over the emotional and psychological impact on her from your behaviour.
'She suffers in various 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 account of all the information and considered the submission that the court can deal with this with a community disposal.
'I am afraid the only appropriate sentence for a crime such as this is imprisonment.'
A 10-year harassment order was also granted restricting Johnston's contact with Grace.
Prosecutor Chris Macintosh told how it was accepted Grace had suffered previous 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 was in a situation where she felt trapped.'
Man behind 'The Dress That Broke The Internet' jailed for attack
