The man behind the viral #TheDress phenomenon that famously "broke the internet" in 2015 has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for domestic abuse.
Keir Johnston, 39, and his wife Grace made headlines when he posted to Facebook a photo of a dress worn by his mother-in-law at their wedding, igniting a global debate online as to whether the garment was black and blue or white and gold. The viral photo quickly revealed major differences in human colour perception and as a result, became the subject of scientific studies.
Johnston, accused of years of abuse, was found to have pinned his wife to the ground and choked her during a row at their home on the island of Colonsay in March 2022, the High Court in Glasgow was told.
The court heard the couple had a "volatile" relationship, the BBC reports, and in this instance, an enraged Johnston had tackled his wife to the ground and throttled her with both hands.
Johnston was said to have maintained pressure on her neck until a witness intervened and broke up the struggle, the BBC reports.
The court heard that Johnston then threatened to "finish her off" and struggled with his wife a second time before brandishing a knife, shouting, "Somebody is going to die", and attempting to self-harm.
He pleaded guilty at the High Court in May to assaulting his wife to her injury and endangering her life.
It comes nine years after #TheDress went viral, leading to international media attention and an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, where the couple were gifted $10,000 and a luxury honeymoon trip to Grenada.
Defence lawyer Marco Guarino asked Judge Lady Drummond to consider a non-custodial sentence, arguing that Johnston had voluntarily sought help for his behaviour, as per the BBC.
Drummond said only a custodial sentence was appropriate, noting the strangling lasted "20 seconds" and his wife had "feared for her life".
The judge added that the ordeal would "forever" affect Grace Johnston and she was unable to comprehend his "lack of remorse".
His sentence of 54 months was reduced from 60 months, or five years, due to his early guilty plea. Drummond also imposed a non-harassment order banning Johnston from contacting or approaching his wife for 10 years.
"Johnston is a violent individual who is now being held accountable for his despicable behaviour towards his victim," Police Scotland Ch Insp Simon Shanks said following the hearing.
"The experience will undoubtedly have left a lasting impact; however, I hope that today's outcome provides her with some degree of closure and helps them to move on with her life."
