Reports are coming out from the Spanish media that Hector Barbera, of the Avintia Blusens MotoGP team, has been arrested for the assault and battery of a woman identified as his girlfriend. The incident took place after the Spanish GP, as Barbera and his girlfriend were staying in Jerez for a few extra days before heading to Le Mans for the French GP. Coming to blows during a heated argument, Barbera’s girlfriend was treated for bruises and contusions, and spent the night in the hospital.
Receiving a lightning-speed trial, both Barbera and his twenty-three-year-old girlfriend were found guilty of assault and battery against each other, with Hector being sentence to six months in jail, and his girlfriend receiving five months of jail time. The sentences can likely be commuted to community service time, according to the Spanish media.
Posted to his Facebook page, a statement from Barbera reads, “Related to the incidents happened today, just clarify that is has just been a simple couple discussion already solved by the Jerez Court and that both parts has accepted. We apologize the way the incidents had occurred, even if the Jerez Courts has solved equally for both parts.”
With just a week until the start of the French GP, it is not clear at this time what Barbera’s sentencing will mean for the Spaniard’s participation at Le Mans. However, we do know that the incident surely isn’t going to help his reputation in the MotoGP paddock, and we can only guess as to the ramifications it could have with his and the team’s sponsors.
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