'Wimbledon prowler' admits attempted raid on Boris Becker's home during 10-year burglary spree

Asdrit Kapaj travelled from Greater Manchester to London to burgle homes over and 11-year period

The tennis legend said he was 'pleased' that the prowler had been caught. (Getty/BMW)

A thief known as the “Wimbledon prowler” has admitted he attempted to burgle the home of tennis star Boris Becker.

Former fish and chip shop owner Asdrit Kapaj targeted the southwest London home of the All England Lawn Tennis Club player during a burgling spree spanning more than a decade.

The married father of two pleaded guilty to 21 counts of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary and a further count of going equipped last month.

The 42-year-old admitted a charge of attempted burglary on Becker’s home on 31 October 2013 as well as the burglary of another home in the area on 25 January 2014 at Kingston Crown Court.

Kapaj, a Kosovan Serb, travelled from his home in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, to carry out raids between July 2008 until he was finally arrested in February this year.

A large group of residents went to court last month to celebrate Kapaj’s guilty pleas.

One, Laurie Porter, said homeowners were now “sleeping more easily”.

Judge Peter Lodder QC described Kapaj as having “identified a particular area and conducted a sustained campaign”.

"Wimbledon prowler" Asdrit Kapaj, 42, of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, carried out a string of raids on homes in London over 10 years. (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Asdrit Kapaj, dubbed the "Wimbledon Prowler", raided a string of homes in London. (Metropolitan Police)

He is due to be sentenced on 21 June for the £542,000 haul which included a diamond ring, a gold necklace and a gold watch, as well as a dress and thousands of pounds in cash.

Scotland Yard previously linked the Wimbledon prowler to 200 burglaries.

But the number of crimes brought by the prosecution did not amount to such a total.

Wearing a fisherman’s hat, Kapaj was accused of meticulously destroying security equipment and may have used a device to pick locks.

But when he was arrested on 22 February, the trademark hat appeared to have been ditched and instead he was caught with a snood, a pair of gloves and a torch.

Becker said he was pleased Kapaj had been caught.

“What did they call him? The prowler, that’s right. He didn’t actually get into the house. I’m pleased he’s been caught," he added.

His estranged wife Lilly added: “I’m glad he’s been caught. He had no choice but to admit what he’d done.”

Press Association contributed to this report