Boris Becker will serve half of the 30-month prison sentence he was given at Southwark Crown Court on Friday; the six-time Grand Slam champion was earlier in April found guilty by a jury of four charges under the Insolvency Act relating to his 2017 bankruptcy
By PA
Last Updated: 29/04/22 4:21pm
Three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has been jailed for two and a half years for hiding GBP2.5m worth of assets and loans to avoid paying his debts.
The former world number one, 54, was declared bankrupt on June 21 2017, owing creditors almost GBP50m, over an unpaid loan of more than GBP3m on his estate in Mallorca, Spain.
BBC commentator Becker transferred almost 427,000 euros (around GBP390,000) from his business account to others, including those of his ex-wife Barbara and estranged wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker.
The father-of-four also failed to declare his share in a GBP1m property in his home town of Leimen, Germany, hid an 825,000 euro (almost GBP700,000) bank loan – worth GBP1.1m with interest – and concealed 75,000 shares in a tech firm, valued at GBP66,000.
Becker, who was handed a two-year suspended sentence for tax evasion and attempted tax evasion worth 1.7m euro (around GBP1.4m) in Germany in 2002, was found guilty of four offences under the Insolvency Act between June 21 and October 3, 2017 earlier this month.
Judge Deborah Taylor sentenced the six-time Grand Slam champion to two and a half years imprisonment, of which he will serve half, at Southwark Crown Court on Friday.
Referring to his previous conviction, the judge said: “You did not heed the warning you were given and the chance you were given by the suspended sentence and that is a significant aggravating factor.”
She told Becker: “I take into account what has been described as your fall from grace.
“You have lost your career and reputation and all of your property as a result of your bankruptcy.”
But she added: “You have not shown remorse, acceptance of your guilt and have sought to distance yourself from your offending and your bankruptcy.
“While I accept your humiliation as part of the proceedings, there has been no humility.”
More to follow…