Man behind viral dress image 'that broke the internet' accused of attempting to strangle his wife to death

The Scottish man associated with "the dress that broke the internet" several years ago has been accused of perpetrating domestic violence against his wife for years, including attempting to strangle her to death in March 2022.

Back in 2015, a dress worn to the wedding of Keir and Grace Johnston of the remote island of Colonsay in the southwest of Scotland caused a global social media sensation. According to an image initially shared on Tumblr, Grace's mother, Cecilia Bleasdale, wore a dress that appeared to be black and blue to some but white and gold to others. The image of the dress then went viral around the world as people, including several celebrities, shared sometimes heated opinions about the dress' true colors. A family appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" soon afterward settled the controversy once and for all: The dress is blue and black.

In fact, the black-and-blue dress became so universally recognizable at the time that the Salvation Army then used it for an ad campaign against domestic violence. "Why is it so hard to see black and blue?" said a tagline for the ad. "The only illusion is if you think it was her choice. One in six women are victims of abuse. Stop abuse against women."

Screenshot of CNN YouTube video

That ad, sadly, may also relate to new reports about the Johnstons' private relationship. According to Crown prosecutors, Keir Johnston, now 38, regularly abused his wife between 2019 and 2022. During that time, he allegedly threw her against a wall and shouted at her repeatedly; threatened her with a knife; controlled her access to family, friends, and money; and even once dragged her away from a bar in a headlock after she refused to leave with him.

The alleged abuse culminated on March 6, 2022, when Keir supposedly pinned Grace to the ground by sitting on top of her. He then placed his hands around her neck and attempted to strangle her, prosecutors claimed.

On Monday, Keir Johnston appeared in a Glasgow court for the charge of attempted murder. He has denied all allegations of violence. His case has been continued for a further preliminary hearing before a trial scheduled for 2024.

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