A BRITISH businessman was stabbed to death by his ex-wife when she confronted him and his new girlfriend as their two children slept, an inquest heard today.

Michael Simpson, 34, was knifed in the neck and back by Wei-Wei Fu during the violent domestic row in his apartment in Shanghai, China.

4 Businessman Michael Simpson, 34, was knifed to death as his children Alice, four and seven-year-old Jack, slept Credit: IanSimpson

As he lay dying the crazed mother of his kids then slashed his partner Rachel Lin's arms “to the bone”, leaving her in a critical condition, the court was told.

Simpson, an operations manager for Next, died moments later from a two-inch wound to the neck.

He had no defensive wounds, suggesting Fu attacked him suddenly with a concealed knife when the argument turned violent.

Fu will go on trial in China for murder next Monday and could face up to 50 years in prison.

4 Michael's parents are fighting for custody of their grandchildren Jack and Alice Credit: IanSimpson

The inquest heard his parents have not been able to see or speak to their two grandchildren, Jack, seven, and four-year-old Alice since his death in March as they are with Fu's family.

Simpson was from Wimborne, Dorset, but had lived in China since 2009 after moving there to oversee the retail chain’s expansion in the Far East.

He met Fu, a store assistant, soon after arriving and they got married and had two children together.

4 Store assistant Fu will go on trial in China for murder next week and could face up to 50 years in prison

But they separated in 2015 and he became romantically involved with British university educated Lin.

On March 20, Fu arrived at Simpson’s apartment armed with a knife alongside two friends and a row broke out.

Dorset assistant coroner Richard Middleton recorded a verdict of unlawful death at the Bournemouth inquest.

He said: "Mr Simpson had separated from his wife and the divorce was ongoing.

"On March 20 he was confronted by his estranged wife at his home address and it appears his estranged wife has taken to his property a knife and during a heated argument has used the knife to stab Michael Simpson with it.

4 Mr Simpson started dating British educated Rachel Lin after his split from Fu in 2015

"I'm satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he has been killed without any legal justification or excuse and I would therefore enter a conclusion of unlawful killing."

Simpson's children are still with Fu's brother in China.

His parents, Ian and Linda are embroiled in a legal battle to win custody of them and bring them back to England.

His brother Andrew told the inquest: "Michael loved working but his overwhelming passion was his two children, Jack and Alice.

MOST READ IN NEWS LOCKED UP AGAIN New lockdown rules explained: Everything you can and can’t do now SKIN DEEP Skin rash IS Covid symptom, experts warn - the 8 different types revealed RALLYING CRY PM says 'pull together' and warns 'your cough could be someone's death knell' MASS EVACUATION Thousands forced to leave mega caravan park as Covid lockdown rules kick in Exclusive PIERS PRESSURE Couple wiped out village's internet for 18 MONTHS to watch Piers on £30 TV CLUB FURY Footballer who beat girlfriend & forced her to eat paint signs to new club

"We've not seen or heard from the children since Michael's passing because they were taken away by his ex-wife's brother the next morning.

"When we are trying to grieve there is a fight to try and see the children.

"We just want to get them home."

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.