Advertisement

Amber Heard called Johnny Depp ‘washed up’ and ‘fat’ and was physically aggressive towards him, manager of actor’s private island alleges

Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court in London to give evidence in his libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, 14 July 2020: Yui Mok/PA
Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court in London to give evidence in his libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, 14 July 2020: Yui Mok/PA

Amber Heard called Johnny Depp “washed up” and “fat” and was physically aggressive towards him during a Christmas trip to the Bahamas, the manager of his private island has alleged.

Tara Roberts, estate manager at Depp’s Caribbean home, claimed she saw Heard “screaming and berating” the Hollywood star as he yelled at the actress to “go away”.

Ms Roberts also alleged she had seen a “red, swelling gash” on Depp’s nose, and claimed he told her Heard had thrown a can of lacquer thinner into his face.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star is suing The Sun‘s publisher News Group Newspapers and its executive editor Dan Wootton over an April 2018 article which labelled him a “wife beater”.

In her witness statement at the High Court in London, Ms Roberts, who has worked for the actor since December 2008, described Depp as an “unusually kind man” and said she had never seen him be “violent or aggressive” with ex-wife Heard, or anyone else.

She told the court: “I observed in December 2015 to my colleagues that Amber was a ‘thrower’, someone who threw projectiles.”

She alleged she saw Heard “lunge violently at Johnny, pull his hair, and commit other aggressive physical acts against him”.

Ms Roberts said that on 29 December 2015, when the couple were staying on the island with his two children and a friend, the pair had an argument.

In her statement, she said: “While I could not hear what caused the fight, Amber repeatedly berated him with increasing ferocity.

“She was insulting him, calling him names, and in the middle of this onslaught I heard her say specifically ‘your career is over,’ ‘no one is going to hire you,’ ‘you’re washed up,’ ‘fat,’ ‘you will die a lonely man,’ and also screaming things that were incomprehensible.”

American Actress Amber Heard arrives at the High Court in London, 14 July 2020. (Getty Images)
American Actress Amber Heard arrives at the High Court in London, 14 July 2020. (Getty Images)

She alleged Depp responded by yelling “go away” and leave me alone”.

The estate manager claimed Heard was “makeup free and unmarked” throughout this visit, adding: “I never saw her with any sign of injury on her face or body whatsoever.”

The High Court also heard from Hollywood stylist Samantha McMillen, who said Heard had “no visible” injuries the day after the actress alleges Depp was violent towards her during a heated row.

Ms McMillen claimed she could “see clearly” that Heard had no marks or bruises on 16 December 2015 as she prepared to appear on James Corden’s The Late Late Show.

The stylist claimed that after her appearance on the programme, Heard said to her “can you believe I just did that show with two black eyes?”

She told the court: “Ms Heard did not have any black eyes, and had been visibly uninjured throughout the day and at that moment.”

Undated picture shown in court of Amber Heard on the James Corden show in December 2015. (PA)
Undated picture shown in court of Amber Heard on the James Corden show in December 2015. (PA)

Depp, 57, is suing News Group Newspapers and its executive editor Dan Wootton over the publication of an article on 27 April 2018 with the headline: “Gone Potty: How can JK Rowling be ‘genuinely happy’ casting wife beater Johnny Depp in the new Fantastic Beasts film?”

His lawyers say the article bore the meaning there was “overwhelming evidence” Depp assaulted Heard, 34, on a number of occasions and left her “in fear for her life”.

NGN is defending the article as true, and says Depp was “controlling and verbally and physically abusive towards Heard, particularly when he was under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs”.

Depp’s former security guard Malcolm Connolly, who has worked for Depp and his family for about 16 years, also gave evidence on the sixth day of the trial.

Mr Connolly said he was sent to “extract” Depp from an argument with Heard in Australia in 2015 and found his boss with a severed finger.

He claimed that when he arrived Depp told him: “She’s cut my f***ing finger off. She’s smashed my hand with a vodka bottle.”

The bodyguard said the actor’s security team knew his injury would “create extremely bad publicity” and therefore made up a story “to protect” Heard.

Heard claims the incident was part of a “three-day hostage situation” in Australia – one of 14 allegations of violent behaviour she has made against her former husband, all of which he denies.

However Mr Connolly claimed Heard’s account of the incident bore “no resemblance” to his recollection and that when he arrived at the house, the actress “did not have any marks on her face or arms”.

The trial continues.

Additional reporting by Press Association

Read more

Depp guard tells jury he lied about finger injury to ‘protect’ Heard

Depp claims Heard’s allegations ‘mirrored’ her abuse towards him

Winona Ryder to testify that Johnny Depp was ‘never violent’ to her

Johnny Depp says Amber Heard’s abuse claims part of ‘conspiracy’

Johnny Depp denies grabbing Amber Heard’s throat during ‘ordeal’