A YOUNG woman was beaten to death, suffering "massive injuries" at the hands of her violent boyfriend, a court heard.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Kelly Risborough, 23, died after a "prolonged, violent assault" by Leslie Purvis, who she was living with at the time.

Toby Hedworth told a jury that 40-year-old Mr Purvis battered Miss Risborough in their Sunderland home in the early hours of April 22, last year.

He said: "Kelly was found lifeless on the bathroom floor. She was clothed but soaking wet. She had suffered massive injuries to her face and appeared to have been dead for some time."

Mr Hedworth told the jury that on Sunday, April 21, Miss Risborough had been to a friend's house all day before returning home at about midnight.

He said Mr Purvis had been drinking in the Pallion Inn with friends before heading home.

He said: "The defendant told officers that Kelly had come home drunk and started shouting at him, so he ran her a cold bath to sober her up.

"He then said that he went to bed and after a while, heard a bump. He said that when he went to the bathroom he found Kelly on the floor and attempted to resusitate her, before dialing 999.

"The Crown says he told deliberate lies to cover up what he had done - it is the opinion of forensic experts that Kelly was beaten in the bathroom, bedroom and in the living area downstairs."

Mr Hedworth said that Miss Risborough died as a result of massive bleeding caused by an extensive laceration to the liver.

Mr Purvis, of Palgrove Road, Sunderland, denies murder and the trial continues.