Jesse John Ferris-Bromley at his sentencing for the manslaughter of Virginia Ford.

The mother of a young woman beaten to death by her boyfriend wishes she had done more to save her only child from an abusive relationship.

Jesse John Ferris-Bromley has been jailed for eight years for manslaughter, after the repeated battering of his partner, 20-year-old Virginia Ford.

Ford's mother Pauline said her daughter's death had left her feeling responsible for not stepping in.

SUPPLIED Virginia Ford was killed by her boyfriend, Jesse Ferris-Bromley, in March 2015.

"Most of all I blame myself for not doing more and now know that Virginia had become his punching bag."

READ MORE:

* Jesse Ferris-Bromley admits killing partner, university student Virginia Ford

* Palmerston North Massey student killed in suspected homicide

* Massey students stunned by slaying of classmate

Virginia Ford grew up in Dunedin, but moved to Palmerston North with Ferris-Bromley to study science at Massey University

FAITH SUTHERLAND/FAIRFAX NZ Police examined the block of flats off Batchelar Rd after Virginia Ford died.

As proof of his attempt to dominate the relationship, 23-year-old Bromley had written chilling lists about how Ford could improve herself.

But it wasn't enough for him.

She died in a flat near the university's Palmerston North campus on March 13, 2015.

Ferris-Bromley was originally charged with murder but the charge was changed to the less serious charge of manslaughter, and he pleaded guilty.

He also pleaded guilty to two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to injure – fracturing ribs in the month before she died, and causing bleeding on the brain in the four days leading up to her death.

The fatal incident was a severe impact that ruptured her duodenum and caused peritonitis.

She might have been saved if he had called for help immediately.

Instead he wiped away the blood coming from her eyes and waited until she stopped breathing before calling for an ambulance.

He admitted having assaulted her.

At Ferris-Bromley's sentencing at the High Court in Wellington today Virginia Ford's mother Pauline spoke of how Ferris-Bromley had pulled their only child away from them and got her to change her plans and move to Palmerston North.

Ford said she sometimes got angry at her daughter for putting Ferris-Bromley before her family.

The last time she saw her daughter in January last year, Virginia had bruises that she said came from falling off her bike.

Ford said her daughter was isolated, and forced to break off contact with her friends.

Ferris-Bromley strictly controlled the time Virginia Ford spent with her family, even when living together in their home, texting her to return to their room.

"There was nothing I could do but hope that one day she would see what was happening," Pauline Ford said.

"The nights are the worst. I just go over and over what else I could have done."

The Fords now have to decide what to do with their daughter's clothes, books, and other belongings.

Her cat still sits in the bedroom waiting for her to return, Pauline Ford said.

In sentencing, Justice Denis Clifford said parents do as much as they can but sometimes it's not enough.

"You should not feel blame."

He said Ferris-Bromley had sought to dominate and control Ford, and became increasingly violent.

Ferris-Bromley had written two lists about how Ford could improve herself, such has "sort out and admit mistakes", and "think about what Jesse says".

They were chilling evidence of the dominance he tried to impose on her, the judge said.

After she died the pathologist counted 55 bruises on her front, back and arms.

Her right kidney was torn and there had been bleeding on her brain.

She had cracked ribs that would have been very painful in the weeks before her death but she continued her daily routine and going to lectures.

A pharmacy assistant remembered Ford buying bruise cream, and seeing the bruises under heavy make-up she wore.

Ferris-Bromley had no previous convictions.

He will serve at least half the eight-year jail term before being considered for parole.