An Italian court has sentenced American student Amanda Knox to 26 years in prison after she was found guilty of murdering and sexually assaulting her housemate, British student Meredith Kercher.

A lawyer representing Meredith Kercher's family said: "It was a good sentence. We have justice".

Knox's former boyfriend, Rafaelle Sollecito, from Italy, was also convicted of the same charges. He was handed a 25-year jail sentence.

The verdict was announced shortly after midnight after the court sat in deliberation for over 12 hours. The trial in the university town of Perugia lasted 11 months, drawing huge international coverage.

The two were arrested just four days after the murder of the Kercher on November 2, 2007.

In a statement, the court said that Amanda Knox, who has always protested her innocence, remained passive and calm during the verdict announcement, before wailing and screaming as she left the courtroom.

Knox's lawyer said they will fight against this decision. Under Italian law a convicted person has 90 days to appeal a court ruling.

nrt/AFP/AP/Reuters

Editor: Holly Fox