Sana Musharraf, 33, a Muslim, said she was afraid she would be killed by Islamists if they learned she lost her virginity to Jason Whiston, 52, deputy director of the Government Legal Department, The Times reports.

Isleworth Crown Court heard that Ms Musharraf met Mr Whiston after attending a lecture of his at the London School of Economics.

Mr Whiston told the court their relationship ended after he refused to convert to Islam so they could marry.

Ms Musharraf sought the advice of the Sharia Council, which told her she had committed a “terrible sin” of adultery.

She then contacted the police, as well as Mr Whiston’s employer and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) – to accuse him of rape.

Carole Fern, prosecuting, said Ms Musharraf told Mr Whiston she would drop the allegation if he married her.

Mr Whiston has since developed cancer, which may be related to the stress the situation has caused him, Ms Fern said.

Ms Musharraf was convicted of stalking Mr Whiston and Tamara Mohammed, his wife, after a two-week trial.

Police did not charge the government lawyer with rape after discovering that the sexual relationship between the pair was consensual and that Ms Musharraf had lied in interviews.

Judge David Balcombe adjourned sentencing for a psychiatric report.