<text>  The mother of murdered British student Meredith Kercher is surprised and very shocked by an Italian courts decision to overturn the convictions of Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito. The decision by the Supreme Court of Cassation, which was announced late last night, is the final ruling in the case, ending the long legal battle waged by Ms Knox and her ex-boyfriend. Ms Kercher, 21, from Coulsdon, Surrey, was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in her bedroom in 2007 while studying in Perugia, Italy. Arline Kercher said she was surprised and very shocked at the Italian courts decision. Here she is pictured during a press conference in Perugia, Italy, following Knox and Sollecitos original convictions in 2009 . Knox and Sollecito were originally convicted of murder and sexual assault in December 2009 and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in jail respectively before their convictions were overturned. Arline Kercher, Merediths mother, said she had heard little more about the decision other than the verdict. She said: I am a bit surprised, and very shocked, but that is about it at the moment. They have been convicted twice, so its a bit odd that it should change now. Asked whether she had any plans following the ruling, she said: I really dont know at the moment, I havent got any plans. I cant see how evidence that was once deemed evidence is now no longer thought to be evidence. I am still shocked. Talking about the Italian legal system she said: It is a long drawn out process. She then added: If you write anything, never forget Meredith. Merediths father John declined to comment this evening. Ms Kercher pictured left and right was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in her bedroom in 2007 . Following Knox and Sollecitos original conviction, the two served four years in prison before a court in Perugia threw out their convictions and declared them innocent. Knox returned to the US before another U-turn in the sensational case in January last year when a court in Florence reinstated the original 2009 conviction and increased Knoxs sentence to 28-and-a-half years. Now Italys highest court in Rome has overturned the second convictions and declined to order another trial. Both Knox, who was awaiting the verdict in her home town of Seattle, and Sollecito have long maintained their innocence. 