Boris Becker jailed for two and a half years for breaking bankruptcy rules

Tennis ace Boris Becker has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for flouting the terms of his bankruptcy.

The three-time Wimbledon champion, 54, arrived at Southwark Crown Court on Friday wearing a Wimbledon tie and holding hands with his girlfriend Lilian de Carvalho Monteiro.

The former world number one will serve half of his prison sentence, handed down by Judge Deborah Taylor on Friday, and will be eligible for release thereafter.

Boris Becker has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. PA

Sky News reported Mr Becker appeared "shocked" as his sentence was announced and "struggled to pick up a bag that he'd brought into court with him".

Sentencing the former sportsman, Judge Taylor said Mr Becker had not shown remorse or acceptance for guilt.

Sentencing, she told Mr Becker: "You have... sought to distance yourself from your offending and your bankruptcy.

"While I accept your humiliation as part of the proceedings, there has been no humility."

Mr Becker was earlier this month found guilty of hiding £2.5 million worth of assets and loans to avoid paying his debts.

He had transferred hundreds of thousands of pounds form his business account and failed to declare a property in his hometown of Leimen, Germany.

He was found guilty of four offences under the Insolvency Act between June 21 and October 3 2017.

He was declared bankrupt on June 21 2017, owing creditors almost £50 million, over an unpaid loan of more than £3 million on his estate in Mallorca, Spain.

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

Dean Beale, chief executive of the Insolvency