Johnny Depp Domestic Violence Hearing Postponed

Johnny Depp's Domestic Violence Hearing Postponed

A court hearing to consider claims of domestic violence made against actor Johnny Depp by his estranged wife has been postponed.

The Hollywood star was issued with a temporary restraining order last month following allegations that he abused actress Amber Heard, who has filed for divorce, saying she lives "in fear" of her husband.

Johnny Depp

A spokeswoman for Los Angeles Superior Court said the case - which had been due to be heard on Friday - will take place on August 15 and 16, after a telephone discussion between the judge and lawyers for Depp and Heard on Thursday.

A "status conference" in the case will held on August 2, but neither Depp nor Heard are expected to attend, the spokeswoman said.

The temporary restraining order against Depp will remain in effect until August 15, a court spokeswoman said.

Heard filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, on May 23, three days after the death of Depp's mother, Betty Sue.

Amber and Johnny

In papers filed with the court, Heard said Depp, 53, had a "history of drug and alcohol abuse" and had been "verbally and physically abusive" for all of their four-year-relationship.

The 30-year-old actress submitted photographs to the court last month appearing to show her bruised face, which she said was a result of Depp throwing a mobile phone at her on May 21.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carl H Moor granted a temporary restraining order on May 27 and ruled that Depp must stay at least 100 yards away from his wife and should not try to contact her.

Heard has since dropped her claim for spousal support.

In the court papers, she wrote: "I endured excessive emotional, verbal and physical abuse from Johnny, which has included angry, hostile, humiliating and threatening assaults to me whenever I questioned his authority or disagreed with him.

"He is often paranoid and his temper is exceptionally scary for me as it has proven many times to be physically dangerous and/or life-threatening to me.

"I live in fear that Johnny will return ... unannounced to terrorise me, physically and emotionally."

Heard added that in one incident in December she "truly feared for her life".

Depp's lawyer, Laura Wasser, said in court documents related to the restraining order that Heard was "attempting to secure a premature financial resolution by alleging abuse".

Depp has been in Portugal with his band The Hollywood Vampires in recent weeks.

He and Heard married in February last year after meeting on the set of 2011 film The Rum Diary.

The pair were caught up in controversy last year after Heard illegally smuggled Depp's pet dogs, Boo and Pistol, into Australia while he was filming the next Pirates Of The Caribbean movie.

They recorded a 40-second apology as part of a deal with prosecutors which allowed Heard to avoid a conviction, but the video was widely ridiculed for Depp's wooden delivery.

Depp was previously married to make-up artist Lori Anne Allison, and has a daughter, model Lily-Rose Depp, and son, Jack, with former partner Vanessa Paradis.

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