German tennis great Boris Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by a London court for hiding his assets from creditors after declaring bankruptcy. Judge Deborah Taylor handed down the sentence on Friday after hearing the arguments of prosecutor and Becker’s lawyer at Southwark Crown Court. Becker, who was previously sentenced to two years in prison for tax evasion and attempted tax evasion in Germany in 2002, was found guilty of four offenses under the UK Insolvency Act earlier this month. “You did not take into account the warning given to you and the opportunity given to you by the suspension and this is a significant aggravating factor,” the judge said, referring to Becker’s previous conviction. “I take into account what has been described as your fall from grace,” the judge continued. “You have lost your career and your reputation and all your property as a result of your bankruptcy.” But he added: “You have not shown remorse, you have accepted your guilt and you have tried to distance yourself from your insult and your bankruptcy.” “Although I accept the humiliation you felt as a result of these processes, you did not show humility.” Becker’s bankruptcy came from a $ 4.6 million ($ 5 million) loan from a private bank in 2013, as well as about $ 1.6 million borrowed from a British businessman the following year, according to court testimony. During the trial, Becker said his $ 50 million career gains had been swallowed up by payments for an “expensive divorce” and debts when he lost large chunks of his income after retirement. Boris Becker flies in the air to return a shot from Australian Wally Masour during the second round match at Wimbledon in 1990 [File: Dave Caulkin/AP Photo] The 54-year-old German was found to have transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds after his bankruptcy in June 2017 from his business account to other accounts, including those of Barbara’s ex-wife and estranged wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker. He was also convicted of failing to register a property in Germany and concealing a bank loan of 825,000 euros ($ 871,000) and shares in a technology company. The court acquitted Becker of 20 other charges, including charges of failing to hand over assets, including two Wimbledon trophies and an Olympic gold medal.
“Public humiliation”
Becker, wearing a striped tie in the purple and green colors of Wimbledon, entered the field hand in hand with his girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro. He showed no emotion before being taken to the cells. The six-time Grand Slam champion had denied all allegations, saying he had worked with trustees tasked with securing his fortune – even offering his wedding ring – and that he had acted on expert advice. At Friday’s hearing, prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley said Becker acted “deliberately and dishonestly” and that he “continues to seek to blame others.” Defense attorney Jonathan Laidlaw argued for his leniency, saying his client did not spend money on a “luxury lifestyle” but rather on child support, rent and legal and business expenses. Becker, he told the court, has experienced “public humiliation” and has no future gains. “Boris Becker has literally nothing and also nothing to show for his most brilliant sports career and that is rightly called a tragedy,” he said. Becker rose to stardom in 1985 at the age of 17, when he became the first player to win a Wimbledon title in singles and later became the world’s top male tennis player. He has lived in the United Kingdom since 2012.
