A man who disfigured a former Miss Italy finalist by throwing acid in her face has been jailed for 15 years by an appeal court in Bologna.

Axar.az reports citing Western media that Gessica Notaro's ex-boyfriend, Edson Tavares, was originally given a jail term last year but the court decided to combine the case with a conviction for stalking her.

Since the attack Notaro, 29, has spoken out on violence against women.

She has also become a TV celebrity, appearing on a national dance show.

Months after breaking up with Tavares, the model from the Adriatic resort of Rimini complained to police that she was being stalked and a restraint order was imposed on him.

On 10 January 2017 the aspiring model and singer was doused in hydrochloric acid and badly scarred. She had several operations to reconstruct her face and now wears a patch over her permanently damaged left eye.