The husband who ‘broke the Internet’ when he posted a photo of THAT dress admits to brutally attacking his wife

A husband who ‘broke the Internet’ with a photo of a dress bought for their wedding has admitted to brutally attacking his wife.

Keir Johnston turned to the terrified Grace Johnston. he pinned her to the ground and brandished a knife at her home on the island of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides.

He frantically sent messages to friends asking for help because he knew it would take too long for the police to get to his house. Mrs Johnston eventually dialed 999 and told an operator: “My husband is trying to kill me.”

The attack, which occurred on March 6, 2022, occurred seven years after the couple gained worldwide fame for the dress worn by the bride’s mother at their wedding.

It sparked a global debate about its colors, with people unable to decide whether it was black and blue or white and gold.

It was nicknamed “The Dress That Broke the Internet” due to the extraordinary reaction it generated online.

The couple even appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where they received $10,000 (£8,000) and a luxury trip to Grenada.

But a judge heard yesterday that there was a history of “domestic abuse” by Johnston, 38, towards his wife.

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The petrol station attendant pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Ms Johnston to the point of causing injury and endangering her life.

Johnston, of Moffat, Dumfries-shire, had been on bail but was remanded in custody by Lady Drummond pending sentencing next month.

Prosecutor Chris Macintosh said Johnston had suffered previous domestic violence, including her husband’s attempt to strangle her, before the 2022 attack.

Macintosh said: “There is no permanent police presence on the island and she was in a situation where she felt trapped.”

Days before the assault, Grace had gone to the mainland in search of work, but Johnston did not want her to do so.

In the hours before attacking his wife, Johnston had been drinking at a pub quiz. Grace had been somewhere else.

She received “strange text messages,” including him, saying, “You should support me, but you don’t.” This left her “worried and anxious,” but she returned home to her husband.

Mr Macintosh said: ‘Johnston woke up and said he was going to leave her. She left the property to prevent her from leaving.

“He followed her and pinned her to the ground. He put both knees on top of her arms, so she couldn’t move. He then began to strangle her with both hands.

“At first I could scream. She feared for her life and she believed Johnston intended to kill her. It was very forceful.’

A witness heard the screams and tried to push Johnston away. He initially stopped and went back inside, but stormed out, threatening to “finish” his wife. Johnston strangled her again.

The husband was seen wielding a knife; A frightened Grace managed to “keep her distance” because she believed he would stab her.

After Grace received no response from her friends, she dialed 999. The heartbreaking call was heard in court.

A witness also ran for help. They soon discovered Grace “crying and hyperventilating.” She was so upset that she could only partially explain the ordeal to her.

Meanwhile, Johnston was found hiding under a desk in his cabin, still wielding a knife. At one point he briefly put the sword to his throat, but the weapon was taken from him.

Grace suffered “visible” bruising and marks on her neck as a result of the assault, but fortunately did not require medical treatment.

The court heard Johnston then “alluded to previous episodes of marital violence” when speaking to a doctor.

He also described episodes of “emotional distress” since he was a child.

Guarino said yesterday that Johnston had always accepted responsibility for assaulting his wife that night.

He urged Lady Drummond to maintain bail for the first offender.

The judge told Johnston: ‘I don’t need to tell you that this is a serious and violent offence.

“You repeatedly strangled her, hurt her and put her life in danger in circumstances that must have been absolutely terrifying for her.

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