- Johnny Depp’s libel case over allegations of domestic violence by his ex-wife Amber Heard continues
- Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers over an article in 2018 which labelled him a ‘wife beater’
- Depp is said to have attacked Heard, 34, throughout their relationship and put her in fear for her life
- Depp admitted that his forehead ‘may have clashed’ with Heard’s when he was trying to ‘grab her arms’
- Former fiancée Winona Ryder is set to tell court this week that he was never abusive or violent to her
Amber Heard was the ‘abuser’ in her relationship with ex-husband Johnny Depp, the actor’s former personal assistant claimed at the High Court today as he said he had never seen her with any injuries.
Stephen Deuters alleged that Heard subjected Depp to ‘years’ of physical and emotional abuse, and said he was ‘extremely surprised and outraged’ when it became public that she had filed for a temporary restraining order.
Mr Deuters, who is now European president of Mr Depp’s production company, Infinitum Nihil, said in his written witness statement that he did not see any injuries on Heard or hear her mention about being the victim of abuse.
He spoke after Depp, 57, finished giving 25 hours of evidence in London today as his blockbuster libel case continues over allegations of domestic violence by Heard, 34. The actor is suing The Sun publisher News Group Newspapers and its executive editor Dan Wootton over an article in April 2018 which labelled him a ‘wife beater’.
Today, Pirates of the Caribbean star Depp accused Heard of ‘haymakering’ him after her 30th birthday party when they met in a hotel three months later – shortly after she had obtained a restraining order against him.
Depp – who made the accusation against Heard in a secret recording revealed in court today – said the fight followed her 30th birthday party in April 2016, which he attended after a ‘bad meeting’ with a new business manager who revealed he had lost $650million after it was ‘stolen’ by his previous managers.
He claimed Heard had been ‘drinking heavily’ and attacked him while he was reading in bed, punching him in the face four times before he grabbed her arms to stop her. The secret recording in which he discussed the alleged attack was made without Depp’s knowledge when he met her in a San Francisco hotel room in July 2016.
Depp also admitted today that his forehead ‘may have clashed’ with Heard’s when he was trying to ‘grab her arms’ to stop her hitting him – but denied intending to headbutt her. He also said he could not have grabbed Heard by the head and punched her in the face because he was wearing a cast with a ‘little dinosaur’ on his broken finger.
The former couple were both photographed arriving at court separately this morning, while Heard was also seen leaving Ham Yard Hotel in Soho. The Royal Courts of Justice in London also heard today:
- Depp was asked if he ‘invented’ his version of events that he accidentally headbutted Heard
- A nurse’s notes revealed Heard was ‘dishevelled’ and had ‘visible bright red blood’ on her lip
- Heard’s father David sent Depp a text message saying he knew his daughter needed help
- Depp said smoking cannabis is a ‘calming agent’ for him and wouldn’t put him in a rage
- Heard told a nurse she was angry with Depp because he was late to her party
Depp is said to have attacked Heard throughout their tempestuous relationship, which has been described as ‘a crime scene waiting to happen’, and put her in fear for her life – claims he says are ‘a choreographed hoax’.
Meanwhile Depp’s former fiancée Winona Ryder, who starred with him in the 1991 film Edward Scissorhands, is set to tell the court via videolink later this week that he was never abusive or violent to her.
Depp’s former personal assistant Mr Deuters was called to give evidence today after Depp finished. Mr Deuters said he has worked for Depp for 16 years, since June 2004.
Sasha Wass QC, for NGN, asked: ‘At the time of his relationship with Amber Heard, you were fulfilling the role of his personal assistant? And you were dealing with his needs, professional and personal?’ Mr Deuters replied: ‘Yes.’
Ms Wass continued: ‘Do you agree that you were more than an employee, you were a friend?’ Mr Deuters said: ‘Yes, I suppose so.’ The barrister then asked if Mr Deuters was ‘regarded almost as family’, to which he said he was.
Ms Wass put it to Mr Deuters that his ‘loyalty to him (Depp) has been rewarded because you are now the European president of his production company’. The former personal assistant replied: ‘Well, I got promoted to that position, yes.’
The barrister suggested: ‘You are financially dependent on Mr Depp for your income. And you are dependent on the Johnny Depp brand for your future income.’
