A judge will consider claims of domestic violence made against Johnny Depp by his estranged wife on Friday, as the former couple continue their high-profile divorce battle.
The Hollywood star was issued with a temporary restraining order last month following allegations that he abused actress Amber Heard, who has filed for divorce, saying she lives “in fear” of her husband.
In papers filed with the Los Angeles Superior County Court, Amber said Johnny, 53, had a “history of drug and alcohol abuse” and been “verbally and physically abusive” for the entirety of their four-year-relationship.
Amber Heard and Johnny Depp are divorcing (Jonathan Brady/PA)
It is unclear whether Amber and Johnny will appear together at Friday’s hearing, although a court spokeswoman said both parties were expected to attend.
The hearing will deal with the issue of the temporary restraining order after Amber dropped a request for spousal support, the spokeswoman confirmed.
Amber filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, on May 23, three days after the death of Johnny’s mother, Betty Sue. The 30-year-old actress submitted photographs to the court last month appearing to show her bruised face, which she said was a result of Johnny throwing a mobile phone at her on May 21.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in happier days (Shizuo Kambayashi/AP)
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carl H Moor granted a temporary restraining order on May 27 and ruled that Johnny must stay at least 100 yards away from his wife and should not try to contact her.
In the court papers, Amber wrote: “I endured excessive emotional, verbal and physical abuse from Johnny, which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him.
“He is often paranoid and his temper is exceptionally scary for me as it has proven many times to be physically dangerous and/or life threatening to me. I live in fear that Johnny will return … unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally.”
Amber Heard with Johnny Depp (Rich Fury/AP/PA)
Amber added that in one incident in December 2015 she “truly feared for her life”.
Johnny’s lawyer, Laura Wasser, said in court documents related to the restraining order that Amber was “attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse”.
Johnny has been in Portugal with his band The Hollywood Vampires in recent weeks. He and Amber married in February 2015 after meeting on the set of the 2011 film The Rum Diary.
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard fell foul of Australian rules (YouTube/Australian Government)
The pair were caught up in controversy last year after Amber illegally smuggled Johnny’s pet dogs, Boo and Pistol, into Australia while he was filming the next Pirates Of The Caribbean movie.
They recorded a 40-second apology as part of a deal with prosecutors which allowed Amber to avoid a conviction, but the video was widely ridiculed for Johnny’s wooden delivery.
Johnny was previously married to make-up artist Lori Anne Allison, and has a daughter, model Lily-Rose Depp, and son, Jack, with former partner Vanessa Paradis.
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