Depp libel trial nears end as star accused of ‘regular abuse’
THERE is “no doubt” that Johnny Depp “regularly and systematically abused his wife”, lawyers for The Sun told the High Court, as the Hollywood star’s libel case against the newspaper neared its end.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor has “spent his entire adult life doing exactly what he wanted” and was “not about to answer to a woman at this stage in his life”, it was alleged.
Mr Depp, 57, is suing the tabloid’s publisher, News Group Newspapers (NGN) and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, over a 2018 article which labelled him a “wife beater”.
Mr Depp denies the allegations of violence made against him by Amber Heard, 34.
Yesterday, the case – the biggest English libel trial of the 21st century – entered its closing stages as NGN’s legal team began making closing submissions.
Sasha Wass QC, for NGN, told the court: “Having heard all the evidence in this case and all the supporting evidence of the incidents of violence, we suggest that there is no doubt that Mr
Depp regularly and systematically abused his wife.
“The characterisation that he is a wife-beater is entirely truthful.”
Ms Wass told the court Mr Depp has “spent his life surrounded by a clique of ageing, male rabble-rousers with alcohol and drugs shared together, and by the time the Hollywood star turned 50, that lifestyle had taken its toll . ...
“Mr Depp believed he could find himself stability with Ms Heard ... she was supportive and indicated a dedication to save him from himself and his demons, but he grew to hate her for her protectiveness. He grew to resent her for telling him how he could kick his addiction, telling him how he could banish ‘the monster.’
“Mr Depp has spent his entire adult life doing exactly what he wanted, and he was not about to answer to a woman at this stage in his life.”
At the outset of yesterday’s hearing Ms Wass said that the defence to the article complained about by Mr Depp is “one of truth, namely that Mr Depp did indeed beat his wife”.