Johnny Depp is a 'wife beater', British judge rules in libel case

The ruling could severely damage Johnny Depp's reputation and career. Photo: AFP

Hollywood star Johnny Depp on Monday (Nov 2) lost his libel battle with a British tabloid that labelled him a "wife beater", after a London High Court judge ruled he had repeatedly assaulted his former partner and put her in fear for her life.

In a ruling that could severely damage Depp's reputation and career, Judge Andrew Nicol said he accepted claims from the actor's ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, that he had violently assaulted her during their tempestuous five-year relationship.