Husband behind ‘dress that broke the internet’ admits attacking wife

The husband behind the “dress that broke the internet” has admitted a shock crime in court, causing the photo to be recirculated.

The husband behind the infamous “dress that broke the internet” has admitted to strangling his wife, nearly a year after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder.

Keir Johnston, 38, pleaded guilty to attacking his wife, Grace Johnston, in their home on Scotland’s Isle of Colonsay on March 6, 2022, on Thursday.

Johnston was alleged to have brandished a knife while he threatened his wife, saying “someone is going to die” following a night of drinking during the assault, according to The Guardian.

The couple found viral fame following their wedding in 2015 after an outfit worn by the mother of the bride sparked a global debate over its true colours – black and blue or white and gold.

The husband behind the ‘dress that broke the internet’ has admitted strangling his wife, nearly a year after he was arrested and charged with attempted murder. Picture: Supplied

Grace’s mum had sent a photo of her outfit to her daughter and asked for her opinion on the dress, which confused the couple who ultimately disagreed over the colour.

Grace saw it as white-and-gold while Keir argued it was black-and-blue.

It is of course, black-and-blue.

The infamous “what colour is this dress?” post, nicknamed “The Dress That Broke the internet”, started a social media storm when wedding guest Caitlin McNeill first shared it on Tumblr.

“#Thedress” drew thousands of comments including from celebrities including reality star Kim Kardashian who posted she had argued about it with her then-huband Kanye West.

After reaching internet fame, the couple and Grace’s mother appeared on the ‘Ellen DeGeneres Show’ where the daytime talk show host gave the couple a check for $US10,000 (about $A15,000) and a trip to the Caribbean.

Nine years on, Keir has now admitted to strangling his wife, after initially being charged with her attempted murder.

Debate over the colour of this dress, worn to Keir and Grace Johnston’s wedding, sparked global headlines in 2015. Picture: Supplied

The almost fatal attack began when Grace defied Johnston’s demands of not attending a job interview, the outlet reported.

Johnston later told his wife he would be leaving her, which led to an argument between the couple, the New York Post states.

“She went outside the property to stop him leaving. He followed her and pinned her to the ground,” prosecutor Chris Macintosh told the Glasgow High Court.

“He placed both knees on her arms, so she was unable to move. He then began strangling her with both his hands. She was initially able to scream and feared for her life and believed Johnston intended to kill her as he was very forceful.”

A witness pulled Johnston off his wife, but the he went inside before returning back moments later threatening to “finish” his wife “off” and choking her again, according to the BBC.

Johnston was also reportedly holding a knife.

Grace suffered severe bruises and called the police, telling the dispatcher “My husband is trying to kill me”.

Johnston was initially charged with attempted murder.

During Keir’s trial, his wife detailed an 11-year-campaign of abuse she suffered from her husband. Picture: Supplied

During the trial the high court in Glasgow, Grace detailed an 11-year campaign of abuse she suffered from her husband which included domestic violence acts and coercive control.

Johnston also allegedly isolated Grace from her friends and family, as well as monitoring her money to decide how much of it she could have access to.

Following his guilty plea, Keir applied for “continued bail” but was placed into custody, where he will remain until he is sentenced next month.

“You repeatedly strangled her, injured her and put her life in danger in what must have been absolutely terrifying circumstances for her,” Judge Lady Drummond told the man, according to the BBC.

“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.”

Johnston will be sentenced on June 6.

Since his horrifying admission in court, the image of the dress has begun recirculating online.

—With The New York Post