Johnny Depp appeared at the High Court today on the second day of his libel case in London.
The US star, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers (NGN), the publisher of The Sun, over a 2018 piece which described him as a “wife beater”.
He has strongly denied his ex-wife Amber Heard’s claims he was violent toward her during their brief union.
During the trial on Wednesday, the Hollywood actor admitted he changed his tattoo from “Winona forever’ to “wino forever” after splitting from actress Winona Ryder.
Explaining the reason behind the ink transformation, he said: “It seemed fitting.”
Johnny Depp arrived on the second day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court in London (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The News Group Newspapers’ lawyer Sasha Wass QC claimed the first time Depp hit Ms Heard was in March 2013 at her house after he had fallen off the wagon and she had laughed at the tattoo.
Ms Wass suggested said he was disappointed with himself for falling off the wagon and was sensitive about it.
She alleged he slapped her in the face.
Depp replied: “That is not correct. That’s not true. It did not happen.”
Explaining the reason behind the ink transformation, he said ‘It seemed fitting’ (Image: Getty Images)
Ms Wass said Ms Heard did not react and “eyeballed” Depp, so he slapped her again.
“That’s patently untrue,” the actor replied.
Ms Wass said he then slapped her a third time.
“I’m sorry but that’s untrue. You’re mistaken,” Depp responded.
Amber Heard allegedly laughed at Johnny Depp’s ‘Wino forever’ tattoo (Image: Getty Images for Art of Elysium)
Ms Wass said Depp then broke down in tears, apologised and said he would never hit her again.
“I did not hit Ms Heard,” he said.
Ms Wass said Depp then told her for the first time about his alter-ego ‘The Monster’.
“No maam,” Depp replied.
Johnny Depp strongly denied ex-wife Amber Heard’s claims against him (Image: WireImage)
Ms Wass said Ms Heard tried to help Depp with his drink and drug problems and told him she knew “all about it” because both her mum and dad had been drug users.
But Depp said Ms Heard never tried to help him and encouraged him to drink and take drugs.
Ms Wass said though Ms Heard had tried cocaine at 18 she no longer took it.
Depp said Ms Heard told him she’d tried it at 16 and had taken it during their relationship.
“There were many times in our relationship early on where not only did she chop the cocaine with a razor blade into lines she would take the cocaine on her fingers and rubbed it into her gums. My eyes have seen it.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
