Johnny Depp’s estranged wife Amber Heard did not come forward sooner with claims she was abused by her husband in an attempt to protect his career, her lawyers have claimed.

Amber has been hailed as a “hero” by her legal team for now speaking out because that silence has been “used against her” and she “cannot continue to leave herself open to vicious false and malicious allegations”.

a photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court by actress Amber Heard showing her bruised face
A photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court by Amber showing her bruised face (PA)

A statement from Amber’s legal team claims she suffered “years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny”.

Johnny has denied allegations he abused his wife.

Actress Amber Heard leaves Los Angeles Superior Court court on Friday, May 27, 2016, after giving a sworn declaration that her husband Johnny Depp threw her cellphone at her during a fight
Amber Heard leaves court after giving a sworn declaration that her husband Johnny Depp threw her cellphone at her during a fight (Richard Vogel/AP)

Samantha F Spector and her co-counsel Joseph P Koenig said: “As the result of Amber’s decision to decline giving an initial statement to the LAPD, her silence has been used against her by Johnny’s team.

“Amber did not provide a statement to the LAPD in an attempt to protect her privacy and Johnny’s career.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard
(Jonathan Brady/PA)

“Johnny’s team has forced Amber to give a statement to the LAPD to set the record straight as to the true facts, as she cannot continue to leave herself open to the vicious false and malicious allegations that have infected the media.

“Amber has suffered through years of physical and psychological abuse at the hands of Johnny.”

The lawyers said it is not unusual for the perpetrators of domestic violence to miscast the victim as the villain and they claim Depp “desperately” needs help.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard attending the premiere of Mortdecai at the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square, London.
(Ian West/PA)

The statement said: “In reality, Amber acted no differently than many victims of domestic violence, who think first of the harm that might come to the abuser, rather than the abuse they have already suffered.

“Amber can no longer endure the relentless attacks and outright lies launched against her character in the Court of Public Opinion since the tragic events of May 21.

“With her statement Amber hopes to give the LAPD the opportunity to conduct an accurate and complete investigation into the events of that evening and before.

a photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court by actress Amber Heard showing her bruised face
Another photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court by Amber showing her bruised face (PA)

“If that occurs, and the truth is revealed, there is no doubt that Amber’s claims will be substantiated beyond any doubt, and hopefully Johnny will get the help that he so desperately needs.”

Ms Spector and Mr Koenig said officers from the Los Angeles Police Department saw the “disarray that Johnny had caused in the apartment” and also the injuries to Amber’s face after he allegedly attacked her.

a photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court by actress Amber Heard showing her bruised face
Another photo submitted to Los Angeles Superior County Court (PA)

In papers filed with the Los Angeles Superior County Court, Amber, 30, said Johnny threw a mobile phone at her at their Los Angeles penthouse, striking her cheek and eye.

The lawyers claim Heard has tried to keep the matter as private as possible after she filed for divorce on May 23 and delayed requesting a domestic violence restraining order because he was out of the country promoting his latest film.

They said: “We took the high road.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard arriving for the European Premiere of The Rum Diary
(Yui Mok/PA)

“Unfortunately, Johnny’s team immediately went to the press and began viciously attacking Amber’s character.

“Amber is simply a victim of domestic violence, and none of her actions are motivated by money. Amber is a brave and financially independent woman who is showing the courage of her convictions by doing the right thing against Johnny’s relentless army of lawyers and surrogates.

“The Family Law Court is not going to be influenced by misinformation placed in the social media based on anonymous sources. Amber is the victim. Amber is a hero.”