JOHNNY Depp has won the multi-million defamation trial against his former wife Amber Heard.

Jurors reached a verdict in Fairfax, Virginia, today after six weeks of evidence and roughly 13 hours of deliberation.

3 Johnny Depp has won the defamation trial against his ex Amber Heard Credit: AFP

3 Heard had countersued her ex-husband Credit: AP

Depp sued Heard for $50million over a Washington Post op-ed she wrote titled: 'I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change.'

The jury found in favour of Depp - who was not in court for the ruling - and awarded him $10m (£8m) in compensatory damages and $5m (£4m) in punitive damages.

But punitive damages in the state of Virginia are capped at $350,000, meaning he will only get $10.35m (£8.30m).

Heard won one of her counter-claims against her ex-husband over comments by Depp's lawyer published in the Daily Mail and was awarded $2million.

A devastated Heard released an emotional statement after the verdict was delivered.

She said: 'The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband.

'I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback.

'It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated.

'It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.

'I believe Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK.

'I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly.'

Depp also released a statement, saying: 'Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed.

'All in the blink of an eye.

'False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already travelled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career.

'And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.'

ABUSE CLAIMS

The Washington Post article does not mention Depp by name, yet his lawyers said it falsely implies he physically and sexually abused Ms Heard while they were together.

The actor denied what he said were 'outrageous, outlandish' claims of abuse and said he had 'spoken up for what I have been carrying on my back reluctantly for six years' during his own evidence during the trial.

Heard rejected his accusations and had countersued the Pirates of the Caribbean star for $100million.

She was seen bursting into tears as she described how Depp had allegedly sexually assaulted her with a bottle.

Heard said that during a violent argument Depp had held her by the throat and smashed glass at their home in March 2015.

During closing remarks, both sides urged jurors to think about other victims of domestic abuse.

Heard's legal team highlighted the message that a verdict in Mr Depp's favour would send to others, while the actor's representatives said her claims were 'an act of profound cruelty to true survivors'.

In the past few days, Depp has made appearances on stage alongside musician Jeff Beck in the UK.

At the time the verdict was being returned in Virginia he was spotted in Newcastle.

The trial had become a battleground over proving the truth about their relationship.

One of the witnesses called to testify was Kate Moss, who denied the claims her ex Johnny Depp 'pushed her down the stairs'.

The supermodel was a surprise witness called by Depp and denied the allegations brought up by Heard who said during her testimony she felt connected to Moss due to a rumor that Depp pushed her down the stairs when they were dating back in the 1990s.

3 Depp repeatedly denied Heard's allegations Credit: AP