Jury in Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation case hears of ‘mutual abuse’

Couple's relationship counsellor says Heard would initiate a fight' at times while ex-assistant says she was belligerent and abusive'

The dueling defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard dug further into the heart of an often toxic and violent relationship on Thursday as jurors heard from the couple's marriage counsellor, Heard's former personal assistant and Depp's addiction specialist.

Dr Laurel Anderson, who was employed by Depp and Heard as a counsellor to discuss their relationship, described mutual abuse" between the two. She said that, on more than one occasion, Heard had initiated incidents to stop Depp leaving, stemming from her fear of abandonment, according to Anderson. She also said she had seen photos of Heard with bruises.