A British lecturer found killed in China was involved in a frantic court battle to ensure he was recognised as the legal owner of a property he sold last month for the equivalent of £1 million - shortly before his death.

Hiliary St John Bower was set to make a huge profit on the property that he bought in China's southern city of Shenzhen for less than a twelfth of the sale price in 2001, documents show.

His investment was made months after friends said he began a relationship with his Chinese girlfriend, although it is unclear if she was involved in the purchase.

It is thought that Mr Bower had not received the proceeds of the sale, which was completed before he was found dead three weeks ago.

Documents seen by The Daily Telegraph showed that he had sued the developer of the property in 2012 to ensure that he received a certificate which showed that it was legally his.