Boris Becker jailed for two years for hiding assets after bankruptcy

Boris Becker has been jailed for two years and six months for hiding millions of pounds worth of assets after being made bankrupt in June 2017.

The former tennis star had faced a jail sentence of up to 28 years under the Insolvency Act. He was found guilty of four charges by a jury at Southwark crown court earlier this month but acquitted of further 20 counts relating to his 2017 bankruptcy.

Once nicknamed Britain’s favourite German – the 54-year-old once joked he was “top of a short list” – the six-time grand slam winner was worth about £38m in his heyday in prize money and sponsorship deals.

Even after he retired, Becker’s good humour and colourful private life kept him in the public’s eye and affection, despite a previous conviction for tax evasion and attempted tax evasion in Germany in 2002.

But sentenced on Friday for the lengths he went to to avoid paying his debts – which included removal of property, two counts of failing to disclose estate and concealing debt – Becker’s legacy has taken a severe blow.

Rebecca Chalkley, prosecuting, had told jurors during the case that Becker had given bankruptcy officials the “runaround”.

“The obligations and duties were with him,” she said.