Johnny Depp’s legal battle continued at London’s High Court today.
The 57-year-old actor is suing News Group Newspapers for libel over a story published in The Sun in 2018 which branded him a “wife beater” – a claim which he strenuously denies.
Closing arguments were made today, with the trial set to conclude tomorrow before a ruling is made in October.
Amber Heard, 34, is back at court today, while Depp won’t be making another appearance until tomorrow.
Sasha Wass, QC, for NGN, started her closing statements by telling that court that Depp is a “hopeless addict who repeatedly lost control”.
Amber Heard is back at court today, while Depp won’t be making another appearance until tomorrow (Image: WireImage)
She said Depp took “limited responsibility” for his behaviour insisting that he “does kick and punch property but does not kick and punch people”.
Ms Wass added it was only a “small step” to transfer that anger to people.
She then said: “Any distinction between hitting an object and hitting a person are meaningless… he was so intoxicated he would not have known what he was doing.”
Ms Wass then addressed his claims that Heard was the aggressor in the relationship, insisting that Heard at eight stone (115lb) was physically unable to attack him or fight him off.
Sasha Wass, QC, for NGN, insisted Heard was physically unable to attack Depp or fight him off (Image: WireImage)
She told the court: “Ms Heard lacked the physical capability to be the successful party in any fight…”
Wass said that it would be ridiculous to say that at just “115lb [Heard] would be able to beat Mr Depp up”.
Ms Wass then claimed Depp tried to portray himself as “a Southern gentleman,” adding: “Far from treating women with respect, the root of his behaviour was a deep misogyny”.
Closing arguments were made today, with the trial set to conclude tomorrow before a ruling is made in October (Image: WireImage)
She made reference to text messages previously read out in court in which he called women “whores and sluts” while also referred to his former partner Vanessa Paradis, as “a withering c***”.
Depp previously insisted it was just a joke between the couple.
Wass told the court Depp became annoyed and “inflamed” by Heard’s criticisms and he created a “misogynistic persona of her as the stereotype of a nagging woman”.
The court then heard texts between him and actor pal Paul Bettany threatening to burn Heard displayed his attitude.
“Alcohol and narcotics brought out the monster in Mr Depp’ in the form of ‘violent explosions’,” Ms Wass said and were followed by “embarrassment” and “apologies”.
Depp denied he’d ever been violent towards his ex-wife during the trial and claimed she’d been abusive towards him during their relationship.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
