J ohnny Depp’s personal assistant called Amber Heard an “Machiavellian overlord” and “sociopathic” as he accused her of subjecting the Edward Scissorhands star to “years of abuse”.

Stephen Deuters has worked for Depp for 16 years and insisted at the High Court today he has never seen the actor being violent to anyone, including Heard.

Depp is locked in a court showdown with ex-wife Heard as he sues The Sun’s publisher News Group Newspaper over a 2018 article calling him a “wife beater”.

Mr Deuters said he was “outraged” when the allegations against Depp first surfaced with the collapse of the marriage in 2016, insisting: “I know that Ms Heard was the abuser”.

In messages to actor Paul Bettany after the breakdown of the marriage, Mr Deuters called Heard a 'talentless c**t', a 'Machiavellian overlord', and a 'sociopathic show pony', adding: 'At least the bitch is gone.'

Mr Deuters said in his witness statement he had never seen any injuries on Heard and said she had never complained of being attacked during her relationship with Depp.

“In contrast, Mr Depp told me on multiple occasions that Ms Heard had attacked him or abused him physically and verbally”, he said.

“I along with many others was extremely surprised and outraged when this hit the press.

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

“I knew that Ms Heard was the abuser in the relationship and I was appalled that she would behave in this way.

“She had subjected Mr Depp to years of abuse.”

Mr Deuters was on a private jet flight in 2014 when Depp is accused of kicking Heard in the back, pelting her with ice cubes, and throwing her to the ground in a drink and drug fuelled rage.

Depp denies the allegations, and Mr Deuters said today he only saw a “playful” tap with the star’s foot which he does not think made contact with Heard.

“[She] was speaking at Mr Depp in an increasingly aggressive manner”, he said. “She continued to harangue Mr Depp whereas he did not engage with the abuse he was receiving.

“At some point, Ms Heard stood up and when her left side was towards Mr Depp, Mr Depp made a playful attempt to tap her on the bottom with his shoe.”

Mr Deuters, who is now the European president of Depp’s production company Infinitum Nihil, said the actor went to sleep in the plane’s bathroom to stop Heard from shouting at him, adding that the star appeared “quite sad, quite low”.

Mr Deuters admitted in his evidence that he had sometimes helped Depp to get drugs, though said instances were “very rare”, and suggested the star’s tolerance for alcohol was unusually high.

Asked about texts he had sent to Heard after the incident, Mr Deuters said he was “mollifying” her and regretted using the word “kick” in one message.

“I don't know if I can stay with him”, wrote Heard. Mr Deuters says Depp is “distraught” and she suggested the actor has “no idea what he did or to the extent that he did it” and would be “appalled” if told.

Mr Dueters wrote: “He was appalled. When I told him he kicked you, he cried. It was disgusting. And he knows it.”

Mr Deuters told the court he was instructed by Depp to speak to Heard after an argument, and said he was “uncomfortable” being put in the middle as he himself is a survivor of domestic abuse.

Johnny Depp arrives at High Court as libel case continues

“It wasn’t my job to be a relationship counsellor”, he said. “I didn’t do well with conflict, I was seeking to mollify and appease. I wasn’t comfortable in this position.”

He said he referred to the incident as a “kick” as Heard had characterised it that way, adding: “Obviously I regret that, I didn’t realise what was being put together at the time.”

Depp’s lawyer, David Sherborne, asked Mr Deuters: “In their four years together, did you see Mr Depp hit Ms Heard at anytime?”

“Did you see him act violently towards Ms Heard at anytime?, and Mr Deuters replied: “No.”

Asked if he would have stood by and allowed violence to happen, he replied: “Absolutely not”.

The trial continues.