A couple who claimed their life was ruined by an adopted boy have won their claim for damages from Essex council.

They said the local authority was negligent in not disclosing information about the five-year-old boy, who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and has an "uncontrollable and vicious nature".

The level of damages will be determined at a later date, and Essex council has been given leave to appeal.

The couple claim their human rights were breached because the adoption violated their right to respect for their home and family life. They said Essex council failed in its statutory duty as an adoption agency.

They adopted the boy and his younger sister in 1997. The boy left their care in 1999 and now lives at a residential school.