Nicola Toso, 50, divorced his wife in 2002 and later found it difficult to keep up with the monthly €400 stipulated in the divorce agreement.

His ex-wife filed a criminal complaint after rejecting his offer to deliver €400 worth of free pizzas and calzone from his takeaway every month.

However, a court acquitted him of the charge after hearing of his commitment to other custody obligations and the fact the daughter eventually chose to move in with her father.

Judge Chiara Bitozzi noted that a civil court had already ruled that Toso’s wife, Nicoletta Zuin, should be paying him €300 a month instead.