A 24-year-old Chinese student from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province has been beaten to death by her British boyfriend in her apartment building in Llandaff, Wales, a local court has heard.

Bi Xixi, who was studying for a master's degree in international business at Cardiff Metropolitan University, was killed by Jordan Matthews, 23, in a “vicious, sustained and prolonged attack”, according to the prosecutor Paul Lewis.

Bi Xixi and Jordan Matthews. /Wales News Service Photo

Bi was found with a total of 41 injuries, including broken ribs, a broken jaw and severe bruising on her body, that all occurred within hours of her death, a pathologist told the court. Dr. James said that there was bruising over at least a third of her body area, which led to massive blood loss and extensive tissue damage.

"Within a period of hours, she died of fat embolism as a consequence of severe soft tissue injuries," he said.

Matthews called the emergency services after the attack, saying “well, me and her had a bicker last night and I have ADHD and I hit her a few times and we were OK and she was talking to me and we were fine and she fell asleep.”

The prosecutor has accused Matthews of murder, a charge he denied. But he admitted manslaughter.

The two started a relationship in April, 2015, and soon moved in together.

The court heard Matthews, who has a black belt in karate, regularly beat Bi up and was “manipulative” and “possessive” towards her, to the extent that even forced her to miss lectures.

In contrast, Bi was “apologetic” and even “subservient.” “She lost weight, she became quiet and withdrawn and submissive,” Lewis said. The man allegedly attacked Bi after he saw a message from another man on her phone.

Bi Xixi. /Wales News Service Photo