Jailed six years for defiling girls

Mario Azzopardi, 64, was jailed for six years today after being convicted of having defiled two 13-year-old girls in 2005. He was declared guilty by seven votes to two of defiling the girls but was acquitted of raping a third. According to the bill of indictment, Mr Azzopardi had sexually assaulted the girls after inviting them to his Cospicua house to teach them how to play the guitar. Before handing down judgment, Mr Justice Lawrence Quintano heard Prisons Director, Police Superintendent Abraham Zammit testify how Mr Azzopardi was an “exemplary prisoner” and looked after the prison’s chapel. He said that Mr Azzopardi first entered prison on February 17, 2011 after being jailed for three months for breaching his bail conditions in this case where he has remained ever since. Mr Azzopardi had also offered guitar lessons to inmates and was involved in sports.