Boris Becker pleads not guilty to 19 criminal charges over bankruptcy

John Dunne @jhdunne24 September 2020
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Tennis legend Boris Becker today pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of failing to disclose money and property during bankruptcy hearings.

The seven times Wimbledon champion allegedly hid his property portfolio, along with bank accounts and shares, in an artificial intelligence firm.

The 52-year-old appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this morning, where he stood in the dock wearing a dark suit and maroon tie. He wore a face mask to enter the court building.

Becker was declared bankrupt in June 2017, but now faces claims that he failed to fully declare his estate during those proceedings.

Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot said the maximum sentence for the offences was seven years.

Becker has denied 19 charges
PA

Defending, Jonathan Caplan QC said: “These charges will be vigorously contested.”

The High Court previously imposed restrictions on the Grand Slam winner’s finances for 11 years, as the Insolvency Service raised concerns over "undisclosed" transactions.

Following an investigation, it is now alleged Becker hid his stake of shares in AI firm Breaking Data Corp and did not mention bank accounts in Belgium and Guernsey to the bankruptcy proceedings.

The prosecution also claim he had a flat in Coleherne Court, Chelsea, which went undeclared between June and October 2018, along with two other German properties.

Becker has also been accused of not disclosing a £620,000 debt, hiding a £1.5million sum of money and not declaring bank accounts which were holding £1.2million.

In the case, which is being prosecuted by the Insolvency Service, Becker has been charged with ten counts of concealing property from the bankruptcy receiver or trustee, two charges of failing to disclose property, three counts of failing to disclose details of an estate, concealing a debt, and three charges of omission in a statement of affairs by a bankrupt.

Becker, who gave the court an address in Battersea, south west London, was bailed to appear at Southwark Crown Court on October 22 for his next hearing.

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