Trial in London: jury finds Boris Becker guilty

Ex-tennis star Boris Becker has been found guilty of several charges by a London court. He withheld parts of his assets from his insolvency administrator. He could now face imprisonment.

In the London criminal trial against Boris Becker, the jury found the former German tennis star guilty on several counts. The jury decided that the 54-year-old withheld parts of his assets from his insolvency administrator Mark Ford. Becker could theoretically face a prison sentence. The sentence is to be announced on April 29th.

Becker followed the verdict with a red head, reported the dpa news agency. He can still appeal the verdict.

Insolvent for more than four years

Becker was declared bankrupt on June 21, 2017. The jury has now concluded that he failed to disclose all of his possessions on four of 24 counts, contrary to legal requirements. The allegations involved bank accounts and real estate, as well as several trophies, including the Wimbledon trophy from Becker’s first win at the all-important Grand Slam tournament in 1985.

The former exceptional athlete had strictly rejected the allegations. Becker testified in court that he had neither the time nor the expertise and therefore always left financial matters to his advisors. Becker’s defense attorney Jonathan Laidlaw affirmed that his client was naive and had not taken care of his finances – but he was innocent. It is not a crime to rely on advisors. He was also not informed in good time what obligations he had after his bankruptcy.

Prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley did not believe his statements. Becker intentionally transferred money to other accounts in order to prevent his insolvency administrators from accessing it. He also knew that he was registered as the owner of several properties, she said in the process.