Three-time Wimbledon winner Boris Becker has to answer to various allegations in connection with his bankruptcy proceedings in London. The more than 20 charges include the fact that the 54-year-old is said to have tried to withdraw money and valuables, such as trophies, and real estate from the insolvency administrator’s access. Becker denies that. Theoretically, he could face up to seven years in prison. The process is scheduled to take up to three weeks.
However, unexpected problems arose on the very first day of the trial. The court withdrew after a few minutes to consider an adjournment. The background is that the most important witness for the prosecution, insolvency administrator Mark Ford, fell ill with Covid-19. The witness suffered from a headache, felt light-headed and tired, a plaintiff’s attorney said. The defense, however, advocated sticking to the schedule because it was unclear how long it would be before Ford could appear in court.
Becker was declared bankrupt by a London court in 2017. Although a personal bankruptcy in England can usually be completed within 12 months, the process has been going on ever since. Various conditions against Becker were even extended to a period of twelve years.