In April 2022, Mr Becker was sentenced to 18 months in jail for various offences under the insolvency legislation and was released from prison and deported in December 2022.
In November 2023, Mr Becker entered into a confidential settlement agreement with his trustees in bankruptcy and then applied to be discharged from bankruptcy.
In February 2024, that application was granted, and Mr Becker’s was discharged from bankruptcy, with effect from 27 April 2024, with the Chief ICCJ releasing his reasons at the start of May.
The trustees in bankruptcy appeared at the hearing, but were neutral on the application and confirmed in evidence that they were unable to confirm whether there were any outstanding issues in the bankruptcy, due to Mr Becker’s prior conduct.
The ICCJ took some issue with this stance, but, having considered the authorities, made the order requested, finding that “On the spectrum of bankrupts who range from “difficult as possible and doing everything to frustrate the trustee’s inquiries” to cooperative, providing information and delivering up assets, Mr Becker clearly falls on the right side of the line.”
Mr Becker was therefore discharged from bankruptcy, but the search for his trophies goes on!
Becker v Ford and others [2024] EWHC 1001 (Ch)