Boris Becker tried to distract himself on Tuesday night with a low-key dinner at The Bluebird in Chelsea, ahead of his court appearance on Thursday.
The tennis pro, 52, is set to appear at a preliminary hearing where he is accused of ‘hiding his Chelsea flat and £1.2m in cash’ when filing for bankruptcy in 2017; an offence he could be jailed for seven years for, if found guilty.
Out with friends, Boris presumably dined on the outside terrace at the London hot-spot due to the current Tier 2 status in London which states you cannot dine inside a restaurant with anyone outside of your household due to COVID-19.
A big week for Becker: Boris Becker tried to distract himself on Tuesday night with a low-key dinner at The Bluebird in Chelsea, ahead of his court appearance on Thursday
Boris wore a white shirt tucked into jeans and a slate grey blazer.
Adding a sporty touch to the ensemble, he wore a black baseball cap and white trainers.
He was accosted by fans outside the posh eatery, before heading home.
Female admirers stopped him and asked for a photo with the Wimbledon legend, getting close up to him despite the current social distancing measures the world is living by amid the pandemic.
The tennis pro, 52, is set to appear at a preliminary hearing where he is accused of ‘hiding his Chelsea flat and £1.2m in cash’ when filing for bankruptcy in 2017
Legal troubles: The offence could see him jailed for seven years, if found guilty
Out with friends: Boris presumably dined on the outside terrace at the London hot-spot due to the current Tier 2 status in London
Masking up: The rules state you cannot dine inside a restaurant with anyone outside of your household due to COVID-19
Boris has also been accused of hiding two German properties when he filed for bankruptcy three years ago.
The former world No 1 was declared bankrupt in June 2017, and last year faced claims that he had failed to fully declare his estate to the Insolvency Service.
The High Court has imposed restrictions on the multiple Grand Slam winner’s finances for the next 11 years, as the Official Receiver raised concerns over ‘undisclosed,’ transactions.
The German has indicated a not guilty plea to concealing a total of 2,008,715 euros and 44 cents (£1.83million), as well as two properties in his homeland and a Chelsea flat which he was required to deliver up to the trustee to the estate.
Westminster Magistrates Court also heard he hid shares in an artificial intelligence firm and 825,000 euro in debt during the hearing.
Stepping out: Boris wore a white shirt tucked into jeans and a slate grey blazer
Casual: Adding a sporty touch to the ensemble, he wore a black baseball cap and white trainers
Fangirls: He was accosted by fans outside the posh eatery, before heading home
Too close for comfort: Female admirers stopped him and asked for a photo with the Wimbledon legend, getting close up to him despite the current social distancing measures
Step away from the tennis player: The world is living by rules that state you must keep a 2m distance from others amid the pandemic
Troubled: Becker was declared bankrupt in June 2017, and last year faced claims that he had failed to fully declare his estate to the Insolvency Service
Denial: Becker, pictured outside court on September 24, denied hiding his property portfolio along with bank accounts and shares in an artificial intelligence company during his bankruptcy proceedings
Becker, who now lives in a Thameside apartment block in Battersea, faces a maximum of seven years in prison if he is found guilty of the 19 charges.
He was denied unconditional bail and was instead told that he must sacrifice his passport and inform the Insolvency Service two days before he makes any international trip for the purposes of work.
Rebecca Chalkley, prosecuting for the Insolvency Service, said she had no objection to unconditional bail.
But Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot said: ‘I am struck about the dishonesty being alleged, not just once or twice but spread over a number of months.
‘That gives me grave reservations about a man even of a man of good character.
‘I am suggesting GPS tracking, in a wide area of London. He’s a German national and Germany does not extradite its nationals.
‘If he was to go to Germany, the entire case would have to be moved there which would cause great inconvenience.’
Jonathan Caplan QC, defending, said: ‘With all due respect, there’s no question that Mr Becker will not attend court.
On camera: Aerial shot of one of the German properties Becker allegedly hid when filing for bankruptcy
Snazzy: The former Wimbledon champion has taken up residence at a £5million penthouse apartment overlooking the Thames
Plush: His modern apartment block is in south London and has a tennis court, a gym, a sauna and a steam room
‘He is an international celebrity. It would be ludicrous in the extreme to go to Germany or somewhere else to avoid his obligations to the court.
‘There’s nothing in his background or in these charges that might lead to the inference of this case. He’s so well known it would be ridiculous.’
Mr Caplan added: ‘He makes his living by commentating around the world. London is a base but he travels frequently.
‘He’s set to travel to Munich on Friday. It’s quite wrong in my submission to freeze those commercial contracts on the basis that this man who is of good character will not attend and honour his obligations to his court.’
The chief magistrate said, however, as a man living in an exclusive and celebrity apartment should be able to afford security.
Prosecuted by the Insolvency Service, Becker has been charged with ten counts of concealing property from the bankruptcy receiver or trustee, two charges of failing to disclose property, three counts of failing to disclose details of an estate, concealing a debt, and three charges of omission in a statement of affairs by a bankruptcy.
Last year: The tennis ace’s Majorcan mansion went on the market for £9million
Idyllic: The once-majestic property in the Balearic Islands which Becker owned features stables, an outdoor swimming pool, four guest houses, a helicopter pad and a tennis court made from parts of Wimbledon furniture
Grand Slam winner: He last year faced civil claims that he failed to fully disclose his estate to trustees after being declared bankrupt in 2017
Posh: The Wimbledon mansion Becker moved out of in 2018 following his divorce from his second wife Lilly
Becker, earned the nickname ‘Boom Boom’ after winning his first Wimbledon as a 17-year-old.
He secured millions in prize money during a trophy-laden career.
His Grand Slam singles titles included three Wimbledons, two Australian Opens and one US Open. He also won five year-end championships, 13 Masters Series titles and an Olympic gold medal.
In recent years he has made headlines for his financial difficulties and last year auctioned off a watch given to him by champion Novak Djokovic.
Becker, who wore a maroon tie and a black suit, appeared to remain calm but seemed to stare into space and fidgeted a little throughout proceedings.
He only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, address, his indicated pleas and to say he wished for the matter to be sent to the Crown Court.
Back in the day: Boris Becker is pictured while playing in a semi-final at Wimbledon in London in July 1985
The Chief Magistrate said: ‘You’ve elected trial in the Crown Court and will go there on 22 October.
‘It’s likely to be Southwark Crown Court although that may be changed depending on availability in the Central Criminal Court. You’ll be there in time for 10am.
‘If you do not attend at all there will be a warrant for your arrest. That will be a short hearing.
‘You’ve got these conditions of bail to make sure you attend the court hearing.
‘If you do not attend, the hearing will go on in your absence. If you are not there, you might find yourself convicted.
‘If you break your bail, you end up risking custody. With the situations in the Crown Courts at the moment in particular, you may find yourself waiting a long time in custody.’