Friends and close contacts of the former tennis star Boris Becker reacted to his imprisonment, as his biographer wondered if he would “survive mentally”, and a German TV star said he “should take responsibility” for his actions.
The three-time Wimbledon champion has been found to have hidden £ 2.5 million in assets and loans to avoid paying off his debts, and was today jailed for two years and six months, of which he must serve at least a year. and three months. prison.
After Becker was convicted, Christian Schomers, who wrote a biography of the tennis legend, said he was worried about him. The 50-year-old man told the German newspaper Bild: “Will he survive mentally by being in prison for a year and three months? This is really, very bad!
Joachim Lambi, meanwhile, star of the German television series Just Dance, told the same newspaper: “I find this very sad. He is a legend in Germany. But the court found that something was not as it should be. Then he must take responsibility for it.
A friend and colleague of Becker’s, former tennis star Andrew Castle, told LBC today: I sat next to him, I played with him, I trained with him, I went out with him, I was drunk with him, he is a good man – he goes to prison for two and a half years. And I’m, look, I’m shocked because it’s close to me. I am sad that his life has come to this and I hope that he will be able to recover on the other side.
“If you don’t pay your creditors, you pay the price. This is the second time since what happened in Germany in 2002. I thought it was possible, but I am surprised and deeply shocked that I will not be working with him at Wimbledon this year and that he will go to prison. And I’m sorry about Lillian.
ITV broadcaster Matt Chapman questioned whether prison was the most appropriate sentence for Becker, tweeting: While I fully appreciate that Boris Becker has broken the law in many ways, I can’t help but feel that he will be much better used to teaching tennis for children with privileges every day instead of staying in a cage. Do good from bad.
Bildt said the judge did not show “compassion” to Becker, a feeling further expressed by the Bunte newspaper, which also called the judge “ruthless.”
Pierce Morgan added: “I am so sorry for Boris Becker. He was a great man and always enjoyed his company. See you on the other side, buddy.
Becker, 54, was declared bankrupt in June 2017, owing creditors nearly £ 50 million over an unpaid loan of over £ 3 million at his mansion in Mallorca, Spain. The BBC expert transferred around £ 390,000 from his business account to others, including those of his ex-wife Barbara Becker and estranged wife Charlie “Lily” Becker.
He also failed to declare his £ 1 million stake in his hometown of Leimen, Germany, hid a bank loan of almost £ 700,000 – worth £ 1.1 million with interest – and hid 75,000 shares in a technology company. worth £ 66,000.
Becker, who received a two-year suspended sentence for tax evasion and attempted tax evasion worth £ 1.4 million in Germany in 2002, was found guilty on April 8 of four breaches of the Insolvency Act between June and October 2017. d.
Each charge carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison. This afternoon, Judge Deborah Taylor sentenced the six-time Grand Slam champion to 30 months in prison, of which he will serve at least half.
Referring to Becker’s previous sentence, the judge said this afternoon: “You did not pay attention to the warning you received and the chance you received from the suspended sentence, and this is a significant aggravating factor.”
And she said to Becker, the father of four, “I mean what was described as your ‘falling away from grace.’ You have lost your career and reputation and all your assets as a result of your bankruptcy.
“You have not shown remorse, you have not admitted your guilt and you have tried to distance yourself from insult and bankruptcy. Although I accept your humiliation as part of the procedure, there has been no humility.
As they took him away, Becker was flushed and seemed to be struggling with his bag overnight. His girlfriend Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro kissed him before he disappeared from the court in the cells below.
Following the sentencing, Dean Beale, chief executive of the Insolvency Office, added: “Boris Becker’s verdict clearly shows that evading insolvency assets is a serious crime that we will prosecute and bring violators to justice.”
Becker’s lawyer, Jonathan Leidlow, said the tennis legend would struggle to find work when he was released from prison and would have to “rely on the charity of others if he wants to survive”. Describing Becker’s resignation as “public humiliation”, Mr Leidlow added: “Boris Becker literally has nothing and also nothing to show for what was the most brilliant of his sports careers and this is rightly called nothing but tragedy”. .
Boris Becker was sentenced today to two and a half years after it was found that he had hidden assets and loans worth 2.5 million pounds to avoid paying his debts
Christian Schomers, who wrote a biography of Boris Becker, questioned whether the tennis star would survive mentally in prison. Photo: Schommers with Becker when they released their book in October 2013
Joachim Lambi, meanwhile, star of the German television series Just Dance, told the same newspaper: “I find this very sad. He is a legend in Germany. But the court found that something was not as it should be. Then he must take responsibility for it. Pictured: Llambi appears on stage during the TV competition show Let’s Dance
Boris Becker arrives with partner Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro for his sentence at Southwark Crown Court in London today
Sketch of Becker’s forensic artist heading to cells after being convicted today, viewed by his girlfriend Lillian and son Noah
Sketch by Becker forensic artist awaiting sentencing (left) and sentencing (right) at Southwark Crown Court today
Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro, a friend of Boris Becker, is leaving the Royal Court in Southwark after being convicted today
Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro, a friend of Boris Becker, is leaving the Royal Court in Southwark after being convicted today
Becker Noah’s son (left) and girlfriend Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro (right) leave Southwark Crown Court this afternoon
Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro, a friend of Boris Becker, is leaving the Royal Court in Southwark after being convicted today
Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro, a friend of Boris Becker, is leaving the Royal Court in Southwark after being convicted today
Boris Becker arrives with partner Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro for his sentence at Southwark Crown Court in London today
Boris Becker arrives with partner Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro for his sentence at Southwark Crown Court in London today
Prison van leaves Southwark Crown Court in London after Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison
Former tennis player Boris Becker arrives today in the court of Southwark Crown in London to hear his sentence
Boris Becker arrives with partner Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro for his sentence at Southwark Crown Court in London today
Boris Becker arrives with partner Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro for his sentence at Southwark Crown Court in London today
Becker’s son Noah and Becker’s partner Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro during lunch break at Southwark Crown Court today
Becker’s friend Lillian de Carvalho Monteiro on a lunch break with a cigarette in front of Southwark Crown Court today
“I’m sad that his life has come to this”: Former British number 1 Andrew Castle says he “still feels”
Former British number one tennis player Andrew Castle said he was “still in trouble” after his “great friend” Boris Becker was sentenced to two and a half years for fraud.
The three-time Wimbledon champion Becker was sentenced today in prison for violating the conditions of his bankruptcy by hiding assets and loans worth 2.5 million pounds to avoid paying his debts.
Speaking at his LBC radio slot, Mr Castle said he was shocked by the news and described Becker as “my great friend”.
Mr Castle, who worked with Becker as commentator for the BBC, said: “I’ve sat next to him, I’ve played with him, I’ve trained with him, I’ve dated him, I’ve been drunk with him, he’s good man – goes to prison for two and a half years.
“And I, look, I’m shocked because he’s close to me. I am sad that his life has come to this and I hope that he will be able to recover on the other side.
Mr Castle added: “If you don’t pay your creditors, you pay the price.
“This is the second time since what happened in Germany in 2002. I thought it was possible, but I am surprised and deeply shocked that I will not work with him at Wimbledon this year and that he will go to prison.
Becker arrived in court with Miss de Carvalho Monteiro this morning, elegantly dressed in a suit and tie at Wimbledon, as he climbed the stairs and entered the building while holding hands with her.
He then entered the dock as his eldest son entered the courtroom, carrying a large Puma bag that the tennis star had previously been seen carrying outside his home.
This morning he was seen carrying a green canvas bag from Puma as he left his home in West London and boarded a black taxi to head to court. Earlier in the day, he also went out to buy a bouquet of flowers.
Yesterday, Becker spent the day browsing Harrods and visiting an unknown woman in her municipal apartment. The father of four was filmed in Knightsbridge, Paddington and Notting Hill.
Dressed in a gray jacket and a baseball cap, he was spotted taking …
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