An Italian man has had his life sentence for killing his son overturned by the country's highest court because the boy was adopted.

The 57-year-old, identified as A.T, had received a life term for stabbing the 19-year-old and attempting to kill his former wife.

The boy, who was attempting to defend his mother, died of his injuries, The Local reported.

However, the life sentence was overturned on appeal by Italy's highest court, the Court of Cassation.

The man appealed against the sentence on the basis that his son had been adopted from Moldova.

This was significant because Italian criminal law regards the killing of a blood relative as an aggravating factor.

As a result of the ruling, a fresh trial will be held. However, according to a report in Messagero Veneto, the Court of Cassation ruled the man should spend at least 16 years in prison.

The court ruling was the latest chapter in a lengthy legal battle involving the family.

Earlier this year, the European Court of Human Rights ordered the Italian government to pay the woman €40,000 (£35,000) for failing to protect her against domestic violence.