J ohnny Depp 'created a persona' for his former wife Amber Heard that painted her as a 'stereotype of a nagging wife', a court heard today.

The actor, 57, is suing for libel over an article in The Sun which called him a “wife beater”, insisting he was never violent in his relationship with Ms Heard.

Sasha Wass QC, for The Sun’s publisher News Group Newspapers (NGN), argued 14 incidents of violence by Mr Depp had been proved over the course of a three-week trial, saying the star demonstrated a 'deep misogyny' that lay at the root of his anger for Ms Heard.

During her closing statements on Monday, Ms Wass said Mr Depp resented his former wife's attempts to help him maintain his sobriety.

She told the High Court Mr Depp's resentment led to him creating a persona of a 'stereotype of a nagging wife'.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at High Court: July 2020 1 /105 Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at High Court: July 2020 Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on the first day .Jeremy Selwyn Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on the first day PA Johnny Depp on the first day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN) AFP via Getty Images Amber Heard with her sister Whitney Heard on the first day Johnny Depp's libel case PA Johnny Depp wearing a face covering AFP via Getty Images) Johnny Depp (right) being cross-examined by Sasha Wass QC (left) before the judge, Mr Justice Nicol, at the High Court on 7 July PA Amber Heard waves as she arrives at the High Court on the second day PA Johnny Depp arrives on the second day of the hearing his libel case Reuters AFP via Getty Images PA Getty Images AFP via Getty Images AFP via Getty Images PA Getty Images Johnny Depp (L) arrives on the third day of his libel trial against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 9 July Reuters Photo showing Amber Heard injury alleged to have been caused by Johnny Depp An image Heard said was taken after this incident, showing a bruise on her arm. Lines of cocaine on a table that were allegedly taken by actor Johnny Depp PA An image of Johnny Depp apparently passed out on the floor Amber Heard and Bianca Butti leave the Royal Courts of Justice on 9 July Getty Images Amber Heard (R) arrives on the third day of the libel trial by her former husband US actor Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 9 July AP Amber Heard arrives on the third day of the libel trial by her former husband US actor Johnny Depp against News Group Newspapers (NGN), at the High Court on 9 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp photo spilt ice cream photo referred to in court Amber Heard American actor Johnny Depp gestures to the media as he arrives at the High Court on 13 July AP Amber Heard's pet teacup Yorkshire Terriers Pistol and Boo which has been referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court in London PA One of the pictures shown in court Actor Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 14 July PA Johnny Depp with injuries allegedly sustained from Amber Heard during an incident in Los Angeles PA Amber Heard being questioned by Sasha Wass QC as she gives evidence at the High Court in London on 20 July Elizabeth Cook/PA Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 20 July AP Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Monday where she is due to give evidence against former husband Johnny Depp on 20 July PA Amber Heard image which has been referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court on 20 July PA Johnny Depp arrives at Royal Courts of Justice on 21 July Getty Images Amber Heard with a bruising on her face, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court in London PA Amber Heard being cross examined by Eleanor Laws QC as she gives evidence at the High Court in London during a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 21 July PA Amber Heard with a friend, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court in London for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 21 July PA Johnny Depp leaves the High Court in London following a hearing in his libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Video deposition of Amber Heard in US proceedings, which was referred to as an exhibit in the hearing of Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton, at the High Court PA Johnny Depp with a cast on his hand PA Amber Heard leaves the High Court in London following a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Wednesday morning for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 22 July PA Actress Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 22 July AP Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on Wednesday morning for a hearing in Johnny Depp's libel case against the publishers of The Sun and its executive editor, Dan Wootton on 22 July Getty Images PA PA PA PA PA PA PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 23 July Reuters Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July REUTERS Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July PA Amber Heard arrives at the High Court on 23 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July AFP via Getty Images Johnny Depp arrives at the High Court on 23 July Getty Images Amber Heard with her girlfriend Bianca Butti arrive at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Amber Heard arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Amber Heard arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice on 24 July Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images REUTERS PA AFP via Getty Images REUTERS Getty Images AFP via Getty Images SplashNews.com PA REUTERS AFP via Getty Images REUTERS SplashNews.com REUTERS

The barrister said this was demonstrated in texts between Mr Depp and his friend the actor Paul Bettany, in June 2015, in which he wrote: “Let’s burn Amber. Let’s drown her before we bury her… I will f*** her burnt corpse.”

Ms Wass said that a “repetitive and downward spiral emerged between Ms Heard and Mr Depp.”

She added: “Alcohol and narcotics brought out the monster in Mr Depp, with his violent explosions, only to be followed by embarrassment, expressions of love and apologies.”

Ms Wass said Mr Depp would lose his temper, lose his self control and assault Ms Heard.

“Ms Heard is not on trial in this case,' said the barrister. 'She is not a party to this case and what she told the court in the witness box was that the last thing she wanted was to expose herself and Mr Depp to ridicule.

“Mr Depp, on the other hand, has brought these proceedings and as such has put his own character very much in issue.”

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Ms Wass referred to Mr Depp’s witness statement, in which he referred to himself as a “Southern gentleman”.

She said: “He described himself as a Southern gentleman who had respect for women. A perusal of his texts demonstrates this to be entirely untrue.

“He described women as sluts, fat ugly whores, he boasted to someone in a text exchange ‘I will smack the ugly c*** around’ after asking whether a ‘worthless hooker’ had arrived.

“Now, Mr Depp denied that that conversation was concerning the payment of sex. He said that this this was a joke between himself and his ex-partner Vanessa Paradis, whom incidentally he described as a ‘withering c***’ in another email.

“Mr Depp has chosen not to rely on Ms Paradis as a witness in this case but, far from treating women with respect, the evidence in this case demonstrates a deep misogyny which lay at the root of Mr Depp’s anger and the anger that Mr Depp felt towards Ms Heard, which translated into violence when he felt threatened by her.”

Mr Depp’s lawyers are due to make their closing submissions on Tuesday.

The trial continues.

Additional reporting by the Press Association