ex-tennis star
Boris Becker testifies for the first time in the London criminal trial
Former tennis star Boris Becker is on trial in London. The 54-year-old has to answer for various allegations in connection with his bankruptcy proceedings. Photo: James Manning/PA Wire/dpa
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A court accuses ex-tennis star Boris Becker of a total of 24 charges in connection with his bankruptcy. His lawyer describes him as a person who never knew much about financial matters.
In the London criminal trial against Boris Becker, the former tennis star testified in detail for the first time. On the fifth day of proceedings over possible concealment of assets during his bankruptcy, the Londoner-by-choice responded to questions from the defence.
The 54-year-old seemed a little melancholy when he entered the courtroom in the unadorned building of Southwark Crown Court in the heart of the British capital. He wore a steel blue suit with a white shirt and blue sneakers. After all: During his testimony, he was allowed to leave the accused’s glass case in the middle of the room and take a seat on the witness stand.
During the hour-long hearing, his lawyer Jonathan Laidlaw primarily spoke, asking Becker question after question about his private life, his sporting and professional career and – above all – his relationship with money. Becker repeatedly commented on the statements of his legal counsel: “That’s correct.”
Lawyer: Always rely on others
The line of defense quickly became clear: the former tennis star never bothered about financial issues, but always relied on the assessment of his advisors. He never paid any bills himself. Becker also had neither the time nor the patience to read contracts. This is “unfortunately” still the case, said the former tennis star. Leimener, who lives in London, said he didn’t know how many accounts he had. Now and then Becker turned to his translator.
The 24 charges include the fact that the three-time Wimbledon winner 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.
Defense attorney Laidlaw presented the jury with a man who may have gotten into the situation he is in through negligence, but not malicious intent.
Becker lost a lot of money
In 2017, Becker was declared bankrupt by a court in London. The trigger was that he could no longer service a loan from an English private bank that he had taken out a few years earlier – with an interest rate of 25 percent. Before that, the defense attorney explained how Becker suffered a loss of image as well as assets and sources of income due to the separation from his first wife Barbara. The bankruptcy itself has drastically reduced his income, said Becker.
Although a personal bankruptcy in England can usually be completed within 12 months, the process has been going on ever since. Various conditions against the 54-year-old were even extended to a period of twelve years.
For Becker, it’s all about not being found guilty. It was still unclear on Monday whether the strategy adopted by his defense attorney would be caught by the jury, and the trial could drag on for another two weeks. Only one thing seemed certain: Boris Becker is far from being defeated.