Isabelle and John Azzopardi Photos by Paul Blandford

"We were friends, but George used the friendship to try and get to my wife, Isabelle. He was the type who pushed himself on others," John explains.

The couple say that George had tried on more than one occasion to make a pass at Isabelle (her correct name). "Each time he tried I refused him," Isabelle says, recalling the months of continuous harassment.

George Grech declines interview MaltaToday asked George Grech for an interview. However, when contacted by phone Mr Grech politely declined saying that what he has to say he will do so in Court, "where it counts most."

At this point Isabelle reiterates her denial that there was ever a relationship between her and George Grech.

I bring up the issue of Magistrate Miriam Hayman’s alleged friendship with the Azzopardi’s and Mr Grech’s Constitutional application in this regard.

Both Isabelle and John deny ever knowing Magistrate Hayman before the beginning of the inquiry. Isabelle says, "When I decided to take action I could not go and report the attempted rape to the police because they would not have believed me.

“I went to the law courts and lodged a report with the duty magistrate who at the time happened to be Magistrate Hayman."

John says that Magistrate Hayman was very hard on Isabelle during the inquiry. "But I suppose she was doing her job. We only got to know Magistrate Hayman through the inquiry," he insists.

What about the alleged links they have with the criminal world?

John immediately interjects, "They are complete hogwash." He stresses, "I have never had any problems with the law and the ‘poppy seed incident’ George talked about in court concerned a bag of bird seed that I had taken to Libya. I was never arrested or detained."

Isabelle is equally straightforward in her denial. "I worked as a probation officer and to do so I had to have a clean criminal record. Before I was given the go-ahead to work in the job, the authorities investigated my background right back to Poland."

I ask Isabelle for her reaction to George Grech’s court testimony.

Isabelle smiles and says that when she heard what Mr Grech had said in open court she started to laugh. "Ironically, it was the first time I laughed in months."

But why go public now, I ask Isabelle.

"Many people knew or suspected that we were the couple involved in all this, but they still had their doubts. However, when our names were made public and then my photo was published in ‘In-Nazzjon’ along with George Grech’s court testimony, I had to make a public statement. How can you stay quiet when somebody tries to give you a bad name?" she retorts.

"I had to clarify things and deny George Grech’s claim that I had a relationship with him. That was too much," Isabelle adds.

I turn to John and ask him about his encounter with the Prime Minister. He answers, "The Prime Minister was my only recourse at the time. George was harassing my wife and affecting our relationship and I had to put a stop to it."

The discussion veers toward the couple’s relationship and Isabelle is the first to speak.

"John is very supportive of me. We have always confided in each other and that is why he trusts me. I tell him everything. When I met John for the first time I was still 16 years old and for me, he is not only my husband but my lover, my friend and my confidant. It is in my nature to confide in him."

When Isabelle finishes speaking John gives her a hug and goes on to add that despite all the torment they have been through they still have a very close relationship. "We are a quiet fun-loving family and have always protected our privacy. Unfortunately, what happened has thrust us into the limelight."

The couple have been married for 18 years and they have a teenage daughter.

Despite the occasional tear, Isabelle comes out as a fighter. The ordeal has made her mentally stronger but she recalls that the first few months after the attempted rape she was in a terrible state.

"There have been times when I thought of giving up. But I have become stronger mentally. My family and friends have given me so much support," she says. Isabelle continues, "The other day I was in Valletta and a man, a complete stranger, stopped me and encouraged me to continue with the case. I feel that people can understand me."

Having known that Isabelle studied psychology at University, I asked her whether she found it easier to cope with the trauma. "Believe me, no psychology can help you when such things happen to you. No matter who you are or what you do."