Boris Becker could face jail time for up to seven years after being found guilty. Southwark crown court found him guilty of charges relating to his 2017 bankruptcy.
The German is accused of hiding millions of pounds worth of assets. Including two Wimbledon trophies, to avoid paying his debts. He could be jailed for transferring hundreds of thousands of pounds from his business account after his bankruptcy.
The German told the jury his £39 million career earnings were swallowed up by an expensive divorce from Barbara Becker. The child maintenance payments and “expensive lifestyle commitments” also took in his earnings.
Boris Becker found guilty of false bankruptcy charges
Boris Becker is facing a prison sentence of up to seven years after being found guilty of breaking UK insolvency laws.
Southwark Crown Court found him guilty of four charges under the Insolvency Act and acquitted of a further 20 counts. Becker declared bankrupt in June 2017 over an unpaid loan of more than £3million on his estate in Mallorca, Spain.
Boris also allegedly hid around £950,000 from the sale of a Mercedes car dealership he owns in Germany. The money got transferred into his Boris Becker Private Office (BBPOL) account.
Becker, who has lived in Britain since 2012, said he had co-operated with trustees trying to secure his assets. Even offering his wedding ring, and relied on the advisers who managed his life away from tennis.
However Becker, who went on to coach current men’s world number one Novak Djokovic for a spell, said his earnings “reduced dramatically” following his retirement in 1999.
The jury found him guilty of four charges, including removal of property, two counts of failing to disclose estate and concealing debt. It also acquitted him of a further 20 charges.
Cleared of all other charges including failing to hand over nine tennis trophies including those won at the 1985 and 1989 Wimbledon tournament, the 1991 and 1996 Australian Open and the 1992 Olympics, he could face a maximum seven years in jail.
Judge Deborah Taylor released the six-time Grand Slam singles champion on conditional bail ahead of sentencing on April 29, when he could face a jail sentence of up to seven years.