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Boris Becker could be jailed as he faces bankruptcy sentencing

Boris Becker could be jailed as he faces bankruptcy sentencing

Six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker could be sent to jail when he is sentenced for flouting the terms of his 2017 bankruptcy.

Earlier this month, the former world number one was found guilty of transferring hundreds of thousands of pounds from his business account.

He also failed to declare a property in his hometown of Leimen, Germany.

The BBC commentator was also convicted of hiding an €825,000 bank loan and 75,000 shares in a tech firm.

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Each offence under the Insolvency Act, which includes two counts of failing to disclose estate, concealing debt and removal of property, carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.

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Judge Deborah Taylor will sentence six-time Grand Slam champion Becker, who has a previous conviction for tax evasion and attempted tax evasion in Germany in 2002, at Southwark Crown Court from midday on Friday.

Becker had told jurors his $50 million career earnings were swallowed up by an expensive divorce to his first wife Barbara Becker, child maintenance payments and “expensive lifestyle commitments”.

The court heard that the global superstar had received €1.13 million from the sale of a Mercedes car dealership, which was paid into a business account using a "piggy bank" for his personal expenses.

He was found guilty of transferring €427,000 to nine recipients, including the accounts of his ex-wife Barbara, and the mother of his fourth child.

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He was further convicted of failing to declare a property in his hometown of Leimen, hiding an €825,000 bank loan on the house as well as 75,000 shares in tech firm Breaking Data Corp.

 

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