Amber Heard ‘can’t pay’ Johnny Depp damages as she faces ‘Hollywood career ruin’

Amber Heard is 'absolutely not' able to pay $8million (£6.3million) in damages to Johnny Depp after he won his defamation case against her.

The Aquaman actress was ordered to pay $15million (£12million) to her ex-husband after the jury found unanimously in his favour following a gruelling six-week trial which saw shocking revelations about their relationship made public as the world watched on.

A jury found in Pirates Of The Caribbean star Johnny's favour on all counts of his case ordering Ms Heard to pay him $10million (£7.9million) in compensatory damages and a further $5million in punitive damages, making a total of $15m.

However, the maximum punitive damages available in Virginia is $350,000 (£270,000) meaning Judge Penny Azcarate reduced his punitive payment considerably.

Amber, 36, was also awarded $2million (£1.6million) in compensatory damages when the jury found for her in one statement of her countersuit regarding alleged defamatory comments from Johnny's former divorce lawyer Adam Waldman, meaning she now owes Johnny, 58, $8.35million (£6.6million).

But her lawyer Elaine Bredehoft has now slammed the outcome of the trial and claims her client is not in a position to pay any damages to Johnny.

Appearing on The Today Show Ms Bredehoft called the jury decision a setback’ for women who have spoken out against domestic abuse.

When asked if Amber was going to be able to pay the awarded damages she said: "Oh no, absolutely not."

She then continued to explain how they will "absolutely" be appealing the verdict.

She said: "She has excellent grounds for it. We had even tried to get the UK judgement in to dismiss his case, because he already had his shot, and that’s one of the issues. But also a number of the evidentiary issues, there was so much evidence that did not come in.

"The court found there, and we weren’t allowed to tell the jury this, but the court found that Mr Depp had committed at least 12 acts of domestic violence, including sexual violence, against Amber.

"We had an enormous amount of evidence that was suppressed in this case, that was in the UK case."

Ms Bredehoft then continued to describe Amber as having been "demonized" because of the response to her testimony on social media.

She explained: "One of the first things she (Amber) said is, 'I am so sorry to all those women out there.' This is a setback. For all women in and outside the courtroom. And she feels the burden of that.

"It’s a horrible message. It’s a setback, a significant setback because that’s exactly what it means.

"Unless you pull out your phone and you video your spouse or your significant other beating you, effectively, you won’t be believed."

Johnny skipped attending the courthouse for the judgement on Wednesday (June 1) as he spends time gigging and celebrating his victory in the UK.

He released a statement via his legal team thanking the public for their support over the past few weeks.

He said: "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."

He continued: "My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.

"From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.

"I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.

"I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff and the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth.

"The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun. Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes."

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