A man has denied dousing his “petrified” former partner with petrol and standing over her trying to spark a cigarette lighter.

Dale Roberts is accused of lying in wait for Lisa Wood outside her home in Oakes Road, Bury St Edmunds, and allegedly punching her several times in the face and kicking her when she returned from a nightclub in the early hours of the morning.

He is then alleged to have poured petrol over her head and clothing while she was on the ground and then stood over her flicking a lighter trying to get it to light, said David Wilson, prosecuting.

He said because of the weather Roberts was unable to get a flame from the lighter and Ms Woods was able to run into her home after a man intervened and told Roberts to get away from her.

Roberts had then stood in the street allegedly threatening to burn the house down, said Mr Wilson.

Roberts, 26, of Tollgate Lane, Bury St Edmunds has denied attempting to commit grievous bodily harm to Ms Woods, assaulting her causing actual bodily harm and threatening to damage property.

Mr Wilson told the court Roberts and Ms Woods had been in a relationship from April last year until August when Ms Woods decided to end it.

On the night of the alleged attack Ms Woods went to a nightclub in Bury St Edmunds and had seen Roberts and there had been a verbal argument.

Giving evidence Roberts claimed he had ended his relationship with Ms Wood because of her jealousy .

He claimed that on the night in question Ms Wood had confronted him in Flex nightclub and had been “horrible” about his wife.

He and a friend had gone to Ms Wood’s house to retrieve some of his belongings believing she was still out but she had come back and there was another confrontation.

Roberts claimed she was “quite drunk” and had been aggressive.

He denied assaulting Ms Wood, pouring petrol over her and trying to set it alight. He also denied threatening to burn down her house as his own two children were in the house at the time.

The trial continues today.