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Boris Becker accepts verdict and sentence after verdict in London

Tennis idol Boris Becker has accepted his London conviction to two and a half years in prison for bankruptcy offences. “Our client has decided not to appeal against the Southwark Crown Court’s conviction,” said Becker’s attorney Christian-Oliver Moser on Monday. “Our client accepts both the verdict of the jury and the sentence imposed by the court.” The “Bild” newspaper had previously reported on this.

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Lawyer Moser emphasized: “The main reason for the conviction of our client is the fact that he made private payments via a business account after the opening of insolvency proceedings. The payments were made, among other things, in favor of his children and relatives as well as for open medical bills and consulting costs.

At the end of April, Becker was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at London’s Southwark Crown Court, the second half of which is expected to be suspended. He had concealed assets worth millions from his insolvency administrators. Becker is now in Huntercombe prison in Nuffield, around 70 kilometers west of his adopted home of London.

Becker spent the first few weeks of his sentence in London’s Wandsworth prison, which is known for overcrowding, violence and poor sanitary conditions. His lawyer recently dismissed rumors that Becker complained about the food or pressed an emergency button at Wandsworth prison.

Huntercombe Prison, where Becker is now staying, has a lower security rating and is specifically designed for foreign men serving prison sentences of between three and 30 months, according to the UK government. According to the website, around 480 men are said to live there in individual and communal cells. The inmates should also have the opportunity to continue their education and do sports. Painting and bricklaying courses are also offered.

Becker is doing well so far, his English lawyer Giles Bark-Jones told dpa on Tuesday after visiting his client in prison the day before. He is currently in a new arrivals wing and is expected to be transferred to his own cell in the coming week. According to official information from the prison, the first week in Huntercombe will include discussions with experts on mental health and possible personal development during detention.

After the end of his detention, Becker could theoretically be deported to Germany. When asked, the UK Home Office declined to comment on the individual case, but said: “Any foreign national who has been sentenced to prison for a criminal offense is eligible for deportation at the earliest opportunity.”

Although Becker has lived in his adopted home of London for around ten years, he does not have British citizenship.

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