A Scottish man, Keir Johnston, who gained fame in 2015 for the viral black and blue dress image, pleaded guilty in Glasgow High Court to attacking his wife in March 2022. Johnston and his wife, Grace, became known globally when a photo of a dress at their wedding made it look white and gold to many viewers. The couple appeared on Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show to discuss the viral image that sparked intense debates over its color. However, their partnership took a dark turn as Johnston was accused of multiple instances of domestic violence against his wife over 11 years, culminating in an incident on March 6, 2022, where his actions caused her to fear for her life.
The attack on Grace Johnston occurred on the remote Isle of Colonsay, where the couple lived without a permanent police presence. Prosecutor Chris Macintosh stated in court that Grace felt trapped on the island, leading up to the assault. She had ignored Keir’s demands to not attend a job interview on the mainland, which he was unhappy about. On the day of the attack, Keir had been drinking in a pub and sent messages to Grace, expressing his dissatisfaction with her lack of support. When Grace returned home, he told her he was going to leave her, then followed her outside, pinned her to the ground, and strangled her. Grace felt her life was in danger and believed Keir intended to kill her during the terrifying ordeal.
A witness who heard Grace scream attempted to intervene and pull Keir away from her, briefly stopping the attack. However, Keir returned with a knife and threatened to “finish her off,” leading Grace to send desperate texts to friends asking for help while she called authorities to report the situation. Judge Lady Drummond remanded Johnston in custody until his sentencing, acknowledging the severity of the charges against him. Drummond emphasized the grave nature of Johnston’s actions, which repeatedly endangered Grace’s life and caused her immense fear, during the court proceedings.
Johnston is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on June 6, where he will face the consequences of his guilty plea for the assault on his wife. The disturbing case highlights the prevalence and severity of domestic violence, demonstrating the urgent need for support and intervention in such situations. For those in the U.S. seeking help with domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be contacted at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for assistance and guidance. The deeply troubling incident involving Keir Johnston and his wife serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of domestic abuse and the importance of addressing it to protect survivors and prevent further harm.
