The man behind the viral “dress that broke the internet” craze has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for violently assaulting and strangling his wife.
Keir Johnston, 38, pinned partner Grace to the ground, choked her and brandished a knife at their home on the Isle of Colonsay, Inner Hebrides, in March 2022.
Lady Drummond told the High Court in Glasgow that Johnston strangled his wife for around 20 seconds.
The judge said: “Initially she was able to scream. She feared for her life and believed you intended to kill her.
“You were very forceful. The strangling lasted about 20 seconds. She did not lose consciousness but felt very close to doing so.”
The couple previously hit headlines across the globe in 2015 when a picture of a dress worn by the mother-of-the-bride at their wedding sparked an online debate over its colour.
Some saw the #thedress as black and blue, which was correct, while others saw white and gold.
Image: The black and blue Roman Originals dress, alongside an ivory and black version. Pic: PA
Nicknamed “the dress that broke the internet”, millions of people across the world got involved in the debate – including celebrities.
The likes of Taylor Swift, Demi Lovato and Justin Bieber saw black and blue, while Anna Kendrick, Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian saw white and gold.
The Johnstons even appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in the US, where they were handed $10,000 and a luxury trip to Grenada.
However, the court heard that Johnston had a history of abusing his wife.
‘My husband is trying to kill me’
On the day of the attack, Johnston had been drinking at a pub quiz while his wife was elsewhere.
Prosecutor Chris Macintosh said Mrs Johnston received text messages from her husband, complaining that she did not do enough to support him.
Mrs Johnston, who had days previously visited the mainland for a job, returned home to find her husband asleep.
On waking, he told her that he was going to leave her.
The pair ended up outside, where Johnston pinned his wife to the ground with his knees on her arms. He then began to strangle her with both hands.
Follow Sky News on WhatsApp
Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News
A witness heard her screams and tried to pull Johnston away. He initially stopped but returned and was seen clutching a knife.
Lady Drummond said: “You came back outside and threatened to finish her off.”
Johnston was also heard saying “somebody is going to die”.
Mrs Johnston messaged friends pleading for help, but eventually dialled 999 and told the operator: “My husband is trying to kill me.”
Mrs Johnston suffered visible bruising to her neck as a result of the assault.
Defence argued ‘love kept them together’
Johnston last month pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife to her injury and the danger of life.
The petrol station attendant, of Moffat in Dumfriesshire, had been remanded in custody by Lady Drummond ahead of his sentencing on Thursday.
Johnston was supported in court by his family and friends, including his mum and new partner.
Defence solicitor advocate Marco Guarino urged Lady Drummond to “go out on a limb” as he appealed for a non-custodial sentence for his client, suggesting a community payback order with “lengthy supervision” alongside a restriction of liberty order.
Mr Guarino said: “Two people who were clearly in love with one another could not exist with each other.”
He added: “It became apparent that their lifestyles were diverging.”
The lawyer said the pair “should have parted” instead of struggling on, adding: “It was probably their love that kept them together.”
Mr Guarino said Johnston had made “no attempt” to shift the blame over the attack and understood the negative impact his actions had made on all those affected.
Lady Drummond acknowledged the character references provided and accepted that Johnston had made “positive contributions” to his local community.
The judge also noted that Johnston had worked hard previously, had no other convictions, and suffered from an acute stress reaction and adjustment disorder.
She added that he had taken steps to address his behaviour, including voluntarily attending therapy, and had “shown remorse and insight” when discussing what happened with professionals.
However, Lady Drummond said Johnston had been violent towards his wife before – including attempting to strangle her previously.
The judge said: “It is recognised medically that external pressure applied to the neck by strangulation may lead to unconsciousness, decreased brain function and ultimately asphyxia and death.
“Applying low pressure can cause unconsciousness within five to 10 seconds. Death can occur within a few minutes.
“Strangulation is an inherently dangerous and life-threatening act.”
His victim was said to have suffered “emotionally, psychologically and financially”.
Lady Drummond said: “She states that the effect of your actions will last forever.
“The only appropriate sentence for a crime of this gravity is imprisonment.”
As well as the 54-month jail sentence, Johnston was also handed a non-harassment order prohibiting him from contacting the complainer for 10 years.
Grenfell Tower will be demolished, Angela Rayner has confirmed.
The demolition is expected to take “around two years” and be carried out “sensitively”, the government said.
The official announcement comes after the deputy prime minister met with campaigners to tell them of the decision on Wednesday evening – sparking an angry reaction.
Grenfell United has accused Ms Rayner of “ignoring” the voices of people who lost family in the fire in June 2017, which killed 72 people.
The disaster was Britain’s deadliest residential fire since the Second World War and began a national reckoning over the safety and conditions of social housing and tower blocks.
There have been discussions over the years about how best to commemorate the tragedy.
Engineering experts have said that while the tower remains stable, and it is safe for people to live, work and study nearby, its condition will worsen over time and there is no realistic prospect of bringing it back into use.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
2:26
Anger over Grenfell Tower plans
Why is Grenfell Tower being demolished?
In its announcement of the demolition, the government said Ms Rayner was told by engineers that the tower is “significantly damaged”.
While it “remains stable”, this is due to the supports put in place after the fire.
Engineers said it is also not “practicable” to keep many of the damaged storeys as part of a long-term memorial.
“Taking the engineering advice into account the deputy prime minister concluded that it would not be fair to keep some floors of the building that are significant to some families, whilst not being able to do so for others and knowing that, for some, this would be deeply upsetting,” the government said.
Image: Angela Rayner has confirmed that Grenfell Tower will be demolished. Pic: PA
How will the demolition take place?
The government says it wants to take the next steps “respectfully and carefully”, with continued support for the community around Grenfell.
It said no changes will take place before the eighth anniversary of the fire in June this year.
The next step is to find someone to carry out the demolition.
A “specialist contractor” will be found to come up with a “detailed plan” for taking down the tower.
The government estimates it will take around two years to “sensitively take down the tower through a process of careful and sensitive progressive deconstruction that happens behind the wrapping”.
Any leftover materials from the tower and its surrounding communal areas can be carefully removed and then returned as part of any memorial, if the community so chooses, according to the government.
Ahead of the decision being made publicly, Ms Rayner wrote to families, survivors and surrounding residents to tell them of the planned demolition.
The government says it has “prioritised” engaging with the community, and that Ms Rayner has been offering to speak with them and listen to their views for several months. The deputy prime minister also met with community groups, residents’ associations, schools and faith leaders.
These conversations have made it clear the tower “remains a sacred site” – however it is also clear “there is not a consensus about what should happen to it”.
The government said that for some the tower remains a “symbol of all they lost” and helps ensure “the tragedy is never forgotten and can act as a reminder of the need for justice and accountability”.
Spreaker
This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spreaker cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spreaker cookies for this session only.
The visibility of the tower also “helps some people continue to feel close to those they lost”.
But the announcement added that for some, the tower is a “painful reminder of what happened and is having a daily impact on some members of the community”.
It means services between Newton-le-Willows / Wigan North Western and ManchesterOxford Road / Manchester Victoria will be cancelled, revised or diverted.
TransPennine Express services are not running between Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Victoria.
People going between those cities are advised to travel via Warrington Central instead.
X
This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable X cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to X cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow X cookies for this session only.
Northern trains are also affected between Liverpool and Manchester Airport, and Chester and Leeds to Manchester Victoria.
Transport for Wales routes from Chester / Llandudno to Manchester Airport / Manchester Oxford Road are impacted, as are Holyhead to Manchester Airport services.
Replacement buses are running in some areas and tickets are being accepted on other services.
A Network Rail spokesperson said engineers were “assessing the situation in order to repair the damaged cables as quickly as possible” but the line was likely to stay closed for most of the day.
They added: “We’re really sorry to any passengers affected by this incident and urge anyone planning to travel by train between Liverpool and Manchester to plan ahead and check with their train operator for the latest travel information.”
A man who shook his partner’s toddler to death after staying up late playing video games has been jailed for life with a minimum of 25 years.
Paula Roberts left her son Charlie, aged one year and 10 months, in the care of her partner Christopher Stockton at her Darlington home while she went for an eye test, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Within minutes of her leaving, Stockton called 999 to report the toddler had gone “floppy”.
Stockton, 38, who is not Charlie’s father, was convicted of the boy’s murder and child cruelty in December.
Image: Christopher Stockton has been sentenced for the killing. Pic: Durham Constabulary/PA
Sentencing Stockton, Mr Justice Goss said Charlie, who was born two months prematurely and had difficulty communicating, was particularly vulnerable.
The judge said only Stockton knew why he inflicted the fatal blow which caused brain injuries similar to those seen in a car crash, a crushing incident or a fall of several storeys.
“You have robbed his family of the joy of bringing up a child and of sharing life events with him. No court can undo the harm you have caused,” he said.
Roberts was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday.
Image: Paula Roberts had concerns about Stockton, but did nothing. Pic: Durham Police
Having initially denied a child cruelty charge, she eventually admitted neglecting her son by failing to get Charlie medical treatment for bruising caused by Stockton over several weeks.
During the police investigation into Charlie’s death, detectives uncovered a series of photographs on Roberts’ phone which showed him with bruises and injuries to different parts of his body.
Several messages on her phone stated she would seek medical help for her boy – but she never did.
“You now recognise that you contributed to his neglect, in effect turning a blind eye to what you must have known was the reality of the situation,” the judge told Roberts.
“You remain a risk to any children in your care.”
Richard Herrmann, defending Roberts, said she had struggled with mental health issues.
She wept as Mr Herrmann said: “She has to live with the knowledge that had she acted differently it would not have happened.”
Image: Pic: Family Handout/PA
The court heard Roberts was suspicious enough about Stockton that she set up a spy camera above her son’s cot.
But the 41-year-old stayed in a relationship with him, even after she voiced her concerns about Stockton to her brother.
Stockton, who had moved in with Roberts and Charlie just seven days earlier, was in sole charge of the boy on 12 January 2024.
He was off work ill and had stayed up into the early hours playing Xbox games, and must have snapped that morning, the court was told.
Stockton inflicted a severe head injury on Charlie which caused widespread bleeding on the brain. The toddler died in hospital the next day.
Image: Charlie Roberts
Pic: Durham Police
Nicholas Lumley KC, prosecuting, told jurors Stockton “shook or threw him with such violence, deliberately and forcefully harming little Charlie”.
Stockton rang 999 and could be heard on a recording repeatedly saying “come on mate” and “wakey wakey” to Charlie, who was not breathing.
He was to tell paramedics, doctors and the police that Charlie had choked on a biscuit and that he patted the child on the back and stuck his fingers down the toddler’s throat.
Jamie Hill KC, defending Stockton, told the court he had no previous convictions, the murder was not premeditated and there was no intention to kill.
Following Stockton’s conviction, Charlie’s father Barry Greenwell said: “Charlie was a much-loved son and grandson who has been taken away needlessly, and has left the whole family with a void that will never be filled.
“As a family we are processing the recent events and are trying to come to terms with the verdict and information given that has been deeply disturbing to ourselves.”
Detective Superintendent Chris Barker, who led the investigation, said: “To install a spy camera, as Paula Roberts did, means there must have been concerns about him.
“If you have concerns about those caring for your children, you must act, speak out or ask for help.
“Charlie had everything to live for, but his life was cruelly cut short.”