Johnny Depp and Amber Heard divorce: Report claims actor 'cut finger and wrote on mirror in paint' during argument

Graphic pictures are latest in string of photos and videos released since Heard filed for divorce from Depp, and may form evidence

Depp and Heard in November (Getty)

One of the most acrimonious divorce cases in recent memory continued to rage this week with fresh claims that Johnny Depp accidentally cut off the tip of his finger and used it to write across a mirror during an argument with his estranged wife Amber Heard.

Heard, 30, and Depp, 53, are locked in a divorce battle which is due to go before a court in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Heard is seeking a permanent restraining order.

On Tuesday, TMZ released pictures of a mirror, purportedly from a villa shared by Depp and Heard shortly after they married, with the words "starring", "Billy Bob" and "Easy Amber" written across the glass in blue paint. Heard had recently finished filming with the actor Billy Bob Thornton at the time.

The entertainment site also published a graphic picture purporting to show Depp’s severed finger which it claims will be used as an exhibit in Heard's domestic violence case against Depp.

The site quotes Heard as claiming the incident took place when an argument broke out at a villa in Australia a month after the pair married. Heard alleges Depp smashed bottles and cut his finger after hitting a plastic phone against a wall while drunk and high on ecstasy.

Heard claims Depp then dipped his bloody finger in dark blue paint and used it to write on the mirror, according to TMZ’s report.

The allegations come after a video was released, again through TMZ, showing the pair in a tense exchange during which glass is heard smashing and cupboard doors are being slammed by Depp. The footage leaked on Saturday and was apparently filmed by Heard. She has strenuously denied releasing the video and said she was “doing what I can to force the media to take it off the internet”.

Her statement continued: “It is for that reason, and my desire to make the healthiest choice for myself, and hopefully for Johnny, that I am attempting to resolve this matter in the most private way possible.”

Heard filed for divorce from the Pirates of the Caribbean star on May 23. The Texas-born actress accused Depp of abusing her physically and emotionally during their 15-month marriage and was granted a temporary restraining order by a Los Angeles judge. She is seeking to obtain a permanent restraining order.

Depp strenuously denies all of the abuse allegations against him and claims Heard has filed for a restraining order to “secure a premature financial resolution”.

The restraining order was extended for a further two months in June. The case is due to go to trial on Wednesday and TMZ claims Heard’s legal team will use the pictures as evidence.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Depp and Heard for comment.