Zoom Jos Verstappen

Former F1 driver Jos Verstappen has avoided a prison term following accusations he harassed and assaulted his wife.

In December, the 36-year-old Dutchman appeared in a Belgian court and was facing a maximum of eight months in custody for allegedly threatening his wife Sophie Kumpen, as well as assaulting her and slashing her car's tyres.

The specialist Dutch publication Formule 1 Race Report said Verstappen, who contested 107 Grand Prix between 1994 and 2003, was sentenced on Monday to a conditional suspended jail term of three months and a 1,650 Euro fine.

The judge found that the sports car driver did not assault his wife, but elected to punish him for sending threatening text messages and violating an existing restraining order.

E.A, Source: GMM
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