Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker jailed for two-and-a-half years over bankruptcy
- Seb Sternik
- 29 April 2022
Tennis legend Boris Becker has been handed the sentence after hiding £2.5million worth of loans and assets in his bid to avoid paying debts.
The 54-year-old owed creditors almost £50million when declared bankrupt on June 21, 2017. The amount stemmed from an unpaid loan of more than £3million on his estate, based on the Spanish island of Mallorca.
The three-time Wimbledon winner transferred 427,000 Euros (around £390,000) from his business account to others, including the account of his ex-wife Barbara and estranged wife Sharlely "Lilly" Becker.
The BBC tennis commentator also failed to declare his share in a property based in his home town of Leimen, Germany. The home is understood to be worth £1million.
On top of that, the father-of-four failed hid a bank loan worth almost £700,000 and concealed his 75,000 shares in a tech firm, currently valued at £66,000.
Becker was previously given a two-year suspended sentence following tax evasion and attempted tax evasion worth around £1.4million in Germany back in 2002.
On this occasion, the German was found guilty of four separate offences under the Insolvency Act earlier this month. The offences date back between June 21 and October 3, 2017.
Sitting judge Deborah Taylor sentenced the legendary tennis player at Southwark Crown Court to two-and-a-half years imprisonment. However, the six-time Grand Slam winner will only serve half of that sentence.
When referring to Becker's 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 added: "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."
