Boom gloom Becker
Bankrupt star ‘failed to hand over trophies’
Becker will face and contest the charges and restore his reputation
JONATHAN CAPLAN DEFENDING BORIS BECKER
JOY Becker wins first Wimbledon in 1985
THREE-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker has been accused of withholding trophies due to be sold to settle his debts.
The former world number one tennis player, 52, declared bankrupt in June 2017, is accused of failing to comply with obligations to disclose information.
Among the trophies listed on a new 28- count indictment are his first Wimbledon cup, which he won as an unseeded 17-year-old player in 1985.
It also includes the German’s 1989 silverware from the same tournament, and his Australian Open trophies in 1991 and 1996. He denied all counts at Southwark crown court, London.
He arrived for the 45-minute hearing in a dark grey suit, blue tie and a cap. The Puma sports brand logo and the message Stronger Together were on his mask.
He spoke in court to confirm his name, enter pleas and to say he understood that a warrant would be issued for his arrest if he absconded on bail.
Earlier, the retired sportsman and TV presenter appeared to take a selfie as he entered the court building, in front of scores of assembled international journalists and photographers.
Prosecutor Rebecca Chalkley said
Becker, who lives in London, may face further charges at a later date.
Defence counsel Jonathan Caplan said: “He [Becker] is determined to face and contest these charges and restore his reputation in relation to the allegations made against him.”
The charges took more than minutes to read to the court.
They included concealing more than £1million held in bank accounts, as well as property abroad and in the UK.
The court heard this included a charge that he failed, being bankrupt, to disclose his property interest in Coleherne Court, Chelsea, South West London.
The indictment contained similar charges for two properties in his home town of Leimen, between Frankfurt and Stuttgart, in Germany. Becker is also accused of removing hundreds of thousands of pounds by transferring it to other accounts, including to former wife Barbara Becker, and estranged wife Sharlely “Lilly” Becker.
It is also alleged he hid his holding of shares in a firm called Breaking Data Corp. Becker was released on bail ahead of his trial, due to last up to four weeks, listed for September 2021. 15