Glasgow, Scotland – Keir Johnston, the man known for his involvement in the dress color debate that went viral in 2015, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for a violent attack on his wife, Grace Johnston. The assault took place on a small island off the coast of Scotland in 2022, where Keir threw Grace to the ground, strangled her, and brandished a knife, causing her to fear for her life.
During the court proceedings at the High Court in Glasgow, Lady Drummond, the judge, revealed that Keir had throttled his wife for approximately 20 seconds, with Grace believing that he intended to kill her. The Johnstons gained fame in 2015 when a photo of a dress worn by Grace at their wedding sparked a heated debate over its colors, blue and black or white and gold, which captivated millions worldwide.
Following the viral sensation, the couple largely stayed out of the public eye until allegations of domestic abuse surfaced against Keir. Details of the shocking violence that occurred during the assault on Grace came to light during the court hearings, leading to Keir’s sentencing this week.
On the day of the attack, Keir, who worked as a gas station attendant, had been drinking at a pub quiz while Grace was attending a job interview against his wishes. Upon Grace’s return home, an argument ensued, during which Keir expressed his intention to leave her before turning violent, pinning her down and strangling her.
Despite showing remorse and attending therapy voluntarily, Keir pleaded guilty to assaulting Grace and endangering her life. In addition to his prison sentence, he was issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting his wife for a decade. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of domestic violence, regardless of one’s public image or past actions.