Boris Becker: Tennis star could face seven years in jail over bankruptcy charges, court hears
The former Wimbledon champion was in court to face 19 charges of failing to disclose money and property.
Thursday 24 September 2020 18:37, UK
Tennis champion Boris Becker has denied a string of criminal charges over his bankruptcy - as he was told he could face seven years in jail if found guilty.
The 52-year-old German former tennis star, who was declared bankrupt in June 2017, is accused of failing to comply with obligations to disclose information.
Becker, who was dressed in a suit and red tie, stood in the dock at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court and spoke in a clear, loud voice as he confirmed his personal details.
He pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of failing to disclose money and property between May 2017 and June 2017.
Becker denied seven counts, which alleged he concealed property from his receiver or trustee and pleaded not guilty to a charge that he concealed a debt.
He also denied two counts of removing property which was required to be delivered to the receiver.
Becker pleaded not guilty to a charge that he failed to disclose the disposal of property and four charges alleging he did not disclose the details of his estate.
He also denied a charge that he concealed debt and four counts of omission about state of affairs relating to bank accounts with Belgium JP Morgan and Guernsey Julius Baer bank.
It is alleged he hid his stake of shares in AI firm Breaking Data Corp and did not mention bank accounts in Belgium and Guernsey to bankruptcy proceedings.
He allegedly had a flat in Coleherne Court, Chelsea, which went undeclared along with two other German properties.
Becker, who lives in London, is being prosecuted by the Insolvency Service.
Bankruptcy issues were considered at hearings in the High Court in London.
Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot conditionally bailed Becker to next appear at London's Southwark Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on October 22.
Becker was a teenage tennis phenomenon when he became the youngest Wimbledon men's singles champion in 1985, at the age of 17 years and seven months.
The 6ft 3in, 180lb powerhouse, with the nickname "Boom Boom", was the first German champion of the tournament and the first non-seed to win as he was ranked at number 20.
The former world number one and six-time Grand Slam champion collected 49 singles titles out of 77 finals during his 16 years as a professional tennis player.
He was picked to enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2003.