In texts, Depp, 57, had described women as “sluts” and “ugly fat bitches”. In one, he said he would “hit the ugly pussy” after asking if a “worthless bitch” had arrived. In another, he described his former partner Vanessa Paradis as a “withered cat”. Depp also “created a misogynistic character from [Heard] like the stereotype of a nagging woman. In addition, he had “reverted to older charges of digging for gold, shrew and adultery,” Wass said,
This demonstrated “a deep misogyny” which “was at the root of Mr. Depp’s anger and the anger he felt against Miss Heard, which translated into violence when he felt threatened by her”, Wass added.
Depp is suing NGN and The Sun’s editor Dan Wootton over an article that called him a “wife beater” and referred to “overwhelming evidence” that he had attacked Heard. Depp denies ever punching Heard, 34, who submitted details of 14 occasions during their relationship when she claims he assaulted her.
Wass said that NGN’s defense “is a defense of the truth, that Mr. Depp did indeed beat his wife.” Although the newspaper must prove, on a balance of probabilities, that Depp assaulted her on at least one occasion, she said the defendants had “established that there was more than one incident of beatings. wife ”, against a backdrop of“ drugs and alcohol ”lifestyle”.
Wass said Depp had morphed into “the monster,” with his memory of “his own shameful conduct so severely impaired” by drink and drugs that he “may not have been aware of the extent of his violent and terrifying behavior “which would have left Heard” in fear of his life “.
Depp had sought to “reverse the roles of victim and accused” in presenting his case, Wass said. Accused of violence, binge drinking or being a heavy drug user, Depp had brought the same charges against Heard, the court said.
Although it was pointed out that the witnesses called by the defense did not see Depp actually hit Heard, she said: “Every incident pleaded is supported by the testimony of Miss Heard herself and if my Lord finds it true. and plausible witness, doing her best to recount what must have been extremely traumatic events, then Miss Heard’s testimony alone is sufficient to establish the defense of the truth.
She added: “Gone are the days when the courts of this country required corroboration before accepting unsubstantiated testimony from a complainant.”
Wass said a “wealth of evidence” backs up Heard’s claims: text messages, medical evidence from those who treated Depp for addiction and portrayed him as “a desperate addict” and “unable to hold back his anger,” photographic evidence and testimonies of his assaults. or their consequences.
Depp’s response that he was the victim of an elaborate hoax perpetrated by Heard and his friends by “painting over wounds and manipulating photographs” as part of a “kind of insurance policy” for Heard was laughable, Wass said.
The case continues.
