Johnny Depp's ex-wife claimed the actor kicked her in the back during a fiery argument on a private jet. The claims were heard by London's High Court today in an email Heard wrote to herself which was read out during Depp's libel trial against News Group Newspapers

Amber Heard says Johnny Depp called her a whore, kicked her and laughed when she cried

Amber Heard accused her ex-husband Johnny Depp of calling her a 'whore', kicking her in the back and then laughing when she cried.

The claims were made in an email Heard, 34, wrote to herself but never sent which was read out in court today as part of Depp's libel case against News Group Newspapers.

Depp, 57, is suing NGN over a story published in The Sun in 2018 which branded him a 'wife beater' - a claim which he strenuously denies.

Heard's email relates to a trip on a private jet she took with her then-husband from Boston to Los Angeles back in 2014, during which Heard alleges Depp assaulted her.

In the email, Heard claims Depp called her an 'embarrassment and a whore' before allegedly striking her in the back with his foot and then laughing at her tears.

She wrote: 'The man I love and want to marry called me an embarrassment and a whore, among other things, in front of a plane full of people who did NOTHING before kicking me - kicking me in the back and then mocked me for crying about it immediately after.'

Image: WireImage) WireImage)

Heard wrote that she was 'scared' and vowed to leave her husband, adding: 'I’ve given him a thousand sorrys and a thousand chances and couldn’t have been more supportive throughout. I am not going to live my future like this. I can’t sit back and be there when he finally kills himself.

'Insanity is doing the sme thing over and over and expecting different results. That’s what I’m doing by staying in his life.'

Depp has denied being violent towards his wife during the plane journey and the incident was also addressed by his assistant Stephen Deuters.

Deuters took the stand today and was asked about what happened on the private jet.

Image: WireImage) WireImage)

He claimed he witnessed Depp and Heard having a heated discussion, but did not hear and insults being yelled or any violence.

He said he could tell there was an argument but Heard was the 'animated' one while Depp was being 'very introverted'.

He denied he heard Depp screaming obscenities - even though the actor had later admitted it in a text to his actor pal Paul Bettany.

He recalled Heard getting up and moving away from Depp once. At one stage she was standing up.

Image: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images) Dave M. Benett/Getty Images)

Deuters said he saw Depp raise his leg to attempt to 'playfully' kick Heard on the bottom with his shoe.

Sasha Wass QC, for NGN then said: 'I suggest that was a proper kick to her back - an assault?''

Deuters replied: 'No. I didn't see that.''

Deuters said Depp went to the bathroom on the plane and was not in good shape.

He told the court: 'I remember sitting with him for a minute and he was really quite sad and quite low.

Depp has denied he was ever violent towards his ex-wife and has accused her of abusing him during their marriage.

Lawyers for NGN are defending their case based on Heard's 14 allegations of abuse, which include claims of bust-ups between 2013 and 2016.

The actor has argued his ex-wife was abusive towards him during the marriage, which collapsed in 2016.

The case continues.

Click to read Heard's email in full.