Man who ‘broke the web’ with gown picture admitted assaulting spouse

A husband who ‘broke the internet’ with a picture of a dress bought for his wedding has admitted brutally assaulting his wife.

Keir Johnston pinned Grace Johnston to the floor and brandished a knife at their home.

Ms Johnston eventually dialled 999, telling an operator: ‘My husband is trying to kill me.’

The attack, on March 6, 2022, in the Inner Hebrides, 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.

Keir Johnston (right) pinned Grace Johnston (left) to the floor and brandished a knife at their home

The dress (pictured) shot to worldwide fame after internet users were split over whether the dress was black or blue

The couple appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US where they were handed a £8,000 luxury tip to Grenada

It was nicknamed ‘The Dress That Broke the Internet’ because of the extraordinary reaction it garnered online.

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

But a judge heard yesterday that there had been a history of ‘domestic abuse’ from Johnston, 38, towards his wife.

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

He was remanded in custody by Lady Drummond, pending sentencing next month.

Prosecutor Chris Macintosh said Ms Johnston had suffered previous domestic violence – including her husband trying to strangle her – before the attack in 2022. The judge told Johnston: ‘I have no need to tell you that this is a serious and violent offence.

‘You repeatedly strangled her, injured her and put her life in danger in what must have been absolutely terrifying circumstances for her.’