P ictures of injuries to Johnny Depp’s face have been shown at his US defamation trial amid claims they were caused by his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp’s security guard Sean Bett said he took photos of the Pirates of the Caribbean star as “evidence”, claiming to have been present after two attacks by Heard on Depp.

He said the first incident happened in March 2015, when Depp, 58, was left with a “swollen cheekbone and eyelid” – and a visible mark on Depp’s face can be seen in the image.

Depp is suing Aquaman star Heard, 35, for defamation over a Washington Post op-ed piece on domestic violence, claiming $50 million in damages / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“He needed it as evidence in case Miss Heard tried to make allegations towards Depp. I was emphatic, that’s a serious mark,” said Mr Bett.

The second incident was in December 2015, said the security guard, as he claimed the former couple “got into an argument and she scratched him”.

“He had scratch marks around his nose area,” Mr Bett told the jury in Fairfax County, Virginia. “On one of the sides of his face and the cheek area.”

Depp is suing Aquaman star Heard, 35, for defamation over a Washington Post op-ed piece on domestic violence, claiming $50 million in damages.

Heard did not name her ex-husband when she wrote about becoming “a public figure representing domestic abuse” but Depp argues she was clearly referring to him.

Heard did not name her ex-husband when she wrote about becoming “a public figure representing domestic abuse” but Depp argues she was clearly referring to him / AP

He says he was never violent to her in their three-year marriage and instead alleges Heard was abusive – an allegation she denies. In his evidence, Mr Bett said the “loving” marriage degenerated over time into “constant bickering”.

While driving Heard to her Los Angeles penthouse after one argument with Depp, the security guard said he warned her: “This can’t continue, you’re going to kill each other or be in jail.”

He said Heard replied: “I love him, I’m not going to lose him.” Mr Bett called his boss Depp “very low key” while drunk and “too cool for school” but gave evidence that Heard had made disparaging comments about her husband and men in general.

“All men are idiots, you shouldn’t trust that guy,” he claimed she had said. He added: “Sorry Sean, not you, I didn’t mean that.”

Claims of domestic violence first emerged after the collapse of the marriage in May 2016 when Heard filed for divorce and petitioned for a restraining order while presenting a picture of her bruised face.

She alleged the injury was inflicted by Depp with a mobile phone during a final showdown at the LA penthouse.

Mr Bett said he and Depp’s head of security Jerry Judge heard “screaming and shouting coming from Miss Heard” during the incident and went inside to intervene.

“She shouted this is the last time you do this to me. Depp looked at her and said what the hell are you talking about?”

He told the court. “Judge tapped Depp on the arm and said boss, let’s leave. We exited the front door.”

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard at High Court: July 2020 1 /106 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 Johnny Depp arrives on the second day of the hearing his libel case Reuters Amber Heard waves as she arrives at the High Court on the second day PA 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. An image of Johnny Depp apparently passed out on the floor Lines of cocaine on a table that were allegedly taken by actor Johnny Depp PA 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

Mr Bett said he did not see any visible injuries to Heard’s face. Depp is expected to start giving evidence himself today, to support his libel claim and accuse Heard of domestic abuse.

It is the second time the warring former couple have faced off in court each other, after a 2020 battle in London when Depp sued The Sun for calling him a “wife-beater”.

A judge dismissed the claim, concluding the allegations of domestic abuse against Depp were “substantially true”, and an appeal court challenge to the ruling was rejected. The US trial in front of Judge Penney S. Azcarate continues.