A man doused his “ petrified” former partner with petrol before trying to set her on fire with a cigarette lighter, a court has heard.

Ipswich Crown Court was told that Dale Roberts lay in wait for Lisa Wood outside her home in a Oakes Road, Bury St Edmunds and when she returned from a nightclub in the early hours of the morning he allegedly punched her several times in the face and kicked her.

David Wilson, prosecuting, said while Ms Wood was on the ground Roberts had poured petrol over her head and dress and then stood over her flicking a lighter trying to get it to light.

“She was petrified,” said Mr Wilson.

He added that because of the weather Roberts was unable to get a flame from the lighter and Ms Wood 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 Wood, assaulting her causing actual bodily harm and threatening to damage property.

Mr Wilson told the court that the couple had been in a relationship from April last year until August Ms Wood had 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 there.

“There was a verbal argument and the defendant seemed to have been drinking,” said Mr Wilson.

The court was told that the kicks and punches had left Ms Wood with a bleeding nose.

During the incident Roberts had walked off and come back with a petrol can and had allegedly poured it over her while she was on the ground, said Mr Wilson. He added that Roberts had flicked the lighter several times during the incident.

The trial continues today (Tuesday).