Amber Heard to appeal libel verdict after Johnny Depp drinks in Newcastle with Sam Fender

Amber Heard is set to appeal the verdict in her libel trial against Johnny Depp after the jury ruled against her.

A spokesman for the Aquaman actress told the New York Times that she has been left 'heartbroken' by the result and plans to appeal the decision.

Depp sued ex-wife Heard for 50 million dollars over her 2018 article in the Washington Post titled: “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath… That has to change.” The article does not mention Depp by name, yet his lawyers said it falsely implied he physically and sexually abused Heard while they were together.

READ MORE: Johnny Depp set to make appearance in Gateshead at Jeff Beck Sage show

Following a trial, Mr Depp was awarded compensatory damages of $10m dollars (£8m) and a further $5m (£4m) in punitive damages. Meanwhile, Ms Heard was awarded $2m (£1.6m) in damages after her counterclaim against Depp over comments made by his lawyer Adam Waldman, who allegedly referred to her abuse claims as a “hoax”, was also found to be defamatory.

Now, experts say that for Heard to be successful in appealing the jury's verdict, she would have to demonstrate there were errors in the trial or in the jury's reading of the law.

Sam Fender, Jeff Beck and Johnny Depp enjoy a drink in Newcastle. (Sam Fender Instagram)

But just hours before the verdict came in on Wednesday, June 1, Depp was spotted having a drink in Newcastle. The Pirates of the Caribbean star popped into Quayside boozer The Bridge Tavern for a drink with Sam Fender and Jeff Beck as the clock ticked down to the verdict of his defamation case.

His visit to Newcastle comes ahead of his surprise performance with music icon Jeff Beck at the Sage in Gateshead tonight (June 2). Tickets for the gig have sold out but those lucky enough to bag them will be able to watch the pair perform a number of covers by other famous acts including Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing and A Day in the Life by The Beatles.

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