Tennis legend Becker freed from prison, returns to Germany
ASSOCIATED PRESS / APRIL 29
German tennis legend Boris Becker has been freed from a British prison after serving eight months of his 30-month sentence and has returned to Gemany, his lawyer said today. He is seen here arriving at Southwark Crown Court in London in April 29.
LONDON >> German tennis legend Boris Becker has returned to Germany after serving eight months in prison in Britain, his lawyer said today.
The 55-year-old German, who has lived in Britain since 2012, was released this morning and traveled back to Germany shortly thereafter.
Becker “has thus served his sentence and is not subject to any penal restrictions in Germany,” his lawyer, Christian-Oliver Moser, said in a statement. He did not give additional details about Becker’s location in Germany.
The three-time Wimbledon champion had been sentenced to 30 months in prison in April for illicitly transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets after he was declared bankrupt.
He would normally have had to serve half of his sentence before being eligible for release, but was released early under a fast-track deportation program for foreign nationals.
Becker had been convicted by London’s Southwark Crown Court on four charges under the Insolvency Act, including removal of property, concealing debt and two counts of failing to disclose estate.
Don't miss out on what's happening!
Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
Becker rose to stardom in 1985 at the age of 17 when he became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon singles title.
The former world No. 1 men’s tennis player was declared bankrupt in June 2017.
