Amber’s security on red alert over fears of attack by Depp fan
AMBER Heard will be shadowed by armed guards this week as she takes the witness stand in her bitter court battle with Johnny Depp.
Ms Heard, 36, has been forced to hire a private security team amid fears of a “lone wolf” attack by a Depp fan following online death threats, one of which chillingly asked: “Who wants to join me in my expedition to brutally murder Amber Heard?”
As well as shadowing the actress as she travels to and from her libel trial, guards will also be posted around the court in Fairfax, Virginia, according to a memo to her legal team leaked to a US newspaper.
It says her new security team, staffed by former military personnel, is monitoring “lone wolf supporters” of ex-husband Depp “trying to gain access to the courthouse grounds, vehicles or entrance to the facility”.
Ms Heard and her attorneys have already been followed and chased after leaving court and her security firm warned its undercover team: “Don’t be predictable or complacent.”
A spokesman for the Fairfax County’s Sheriff’s Office has also confirmed that two “Depp superfans” have been barred from proceedings after being linked to threats.
Ms Heard could take the stand as soon as tomorrow to give her side of the story of their stormy five-year relationship.
Actor Depp, 58, was branded a wife-beater in London’s High Court two years ago after losing a libel action against a UK newspaper and is now suing Ms Heard for $50million (£38.7m) for defamation over a US article in which she claimed to be a victim of domestic violence. She is counter-suing for $100m.
Last week, Depp’s bodyguard Malcolm Connolly told the court he saw scratches on the Pirates ofthe Caribbean star’s face during his honeymoon with Ms Heard in 2013.