Man behind viral dress photo admits attacking wife

A witness heard her screams and tried to pull Johnston away.

He initially stopped and went back inside – but stormed back out threatening to “finish” his wife “off”, before again choking her. He was also seen clutching a knife.

Mrs Johnston sent text messages to her friends asking for help, the court was told.

She eventually dialled 999 and told the operator: “My husband is trying to kill me.”

She suffered visible bruising to her neck during the attack.

Johnston, a petrol station attendant now living in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, was expected to face trial but changed his plea and admitted assaulting his wife to her injury and the danger of life.

Through his lawyer, he applied for continued bail, but the judge Lady Drummond remanded him in custody, pending sentence.

She told him: “You repeatedly strangled her, injured her and put her life in danger in what must have been absolutely terrifying circumstances for her.

“I am afraid, Mr Johnston, that your status has now changed, you have been convicted of a very serious crime and you will be remanded meantime.”