Traffic Officer on Trial for Punching Workshop Owner's Sister in 2020 Dispute

The Corts court has heard conflicting testimonies in a trial over a 2020 altercation at a Santa Coloma motorcycle workshop, where a traffic officer faces charges of a major intentional injury offence after allegedly punching the sister of the former owner during a dispute over an unpaid repair bill.

The incident unfolded on 8 June 2020 amid the pandemic, when the accused—a long-time client with a trusted relationship to the mechanic—picked up his motorcycle and refused to pay the full amount. He acknowledged issues with his card at first but later disputed the work, saying it deviated from his instructions and the bike still had problems. He offered to cover parts but not labour, insisting an agreement could have been reached.

Tensions rose when the woman, who managed administration, warned she would call police to confirm the non-payment as he tried to leave. She testified that he reacted violently, punching her face and pushing her while she opened the door, causing bruising, three days of discomfort, and grip to the doorframe to avoid falling. She described subsequent anxiety from reliving the event, sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts, and unease around traffic officers despite his plain clothes, leading to six therapy sessions. Her long-time psychologist diagnosed mild post-traumatic stress two months later that resolved after a year, noting no prior issues.

The officer denied punching her, admitting only to pushing her aside after staff allegedly locked reception and she called him a derogatory term, blocking his exit. He said he felt trapped, wanted to take the matter to the Batllia for an expert assessment, and was then grabbed and strangled by the neck or jersey by her brother—the mechanic—until a worker intervened. The brother, previously convicted via penal order for his actions, denied strangling and said he only held the accused by the jersey afterwards to restrain him.

A neighbour and workshop client testified to seeing the punch from a sixth-floor window and calling police, while intervening officers described any injuries as apparently minor, with no medical aid needed and the woman appearing calm. Uncertainty remains over who first alerted authorities.

Prosecutors and private accusers seek 10 months' conditional prison and nearly €5,000 in civil liability for pain and sequelae. The defence demands acquittal, or at most a minor contravention now prescribed, as police initially classified it that way. Forensic experts noted physical injuries compatible with a blow but short-term, while questioning psychological reports as methodologically flawed or biased. The unpaid bill persists. The court must now assess the versions before ruling.