justice
Boris Becker’s criminal trial begins in London
Former tennis pro Boris Becker arrives in front of a London court. Photo: Aaron Chown/PA Wire/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
In London, Boris Becker experienced his greatest success at the age of 17 with his first Wimbledon victory. Now the British capital could become the site of his greatest defeat.
Former tennis star Boris Becker has to answer in a criminal case at Southwark Crown Court in London from this Monday. It is about various allegations in connection with his bankruptcy proceedings.
According to the court, the 54-year-old Londoner by choice is required to appear in person at the hearing. The more than 20 charges include the fact that Becker is said to have tried to withdraw money and valuables as well as real estate from the insolvency administrator’s access. He is accused, for example, of transferring money to his ex-wives Barbara and Lilly, not declaring property ownership and not handing over trophies from his career. However, a large part of the former tennis ace’s trophies have already been auctioned off.
Theoretically up to seven years in prison
Becker denies the allegations. The three-time Wimbledon winner and six-time Grand Slam champion pleaded not guilty to all counts at a first hearing. The process is scheduled to take up to three weeks. If Becker is found guilty, he could theoretically face up to seven years in prison.
Before the trial, Becker was confident: “I’m a positive person, I always believe in good things and in English jurisdiction,” he told the “Bild am Sonntag” in February. He announced that he would personally try to “refute the allegations for each of the 24 charges.”
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.
It was initially unclear how much money the former tennis star still had to repay and when the bankruptcy proceedings would end. Becker said to the “Bild am Sonntag”: “My bankruptcy will continue regardless of this. It ends the moment everything that once belonged to me is sold.” But that might not be his biggest concern right now.