A man who poured petrol over his ex-girlfriend while she slept in bed has appeared in court.

William Tarbert let himself into the victim's home, removed her young son from the bed and took him into another room. The 36-year-old then went back into the room and poured petrol over her.

The prosecution claim he then took a cigarette lighter out of his pocket.

Leicester Crown Court was told Tarbert, who admits making a threat to kill by dousing the victim in fuel, does not accept he produced a lighter during the incident, which happened on October 23 last year.

The case was adjourned for evidence to be called on the issue and for a judge to rule whether or not a lighter was present, although it was accepted he made no attempt to light the petrol.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said: "He went back into her room and put the light on. The victim is clear she saw a lighter."

The court heard Tarbert had previously told the victim he would kill her if she left him. He intended her to believe he would set fire to her, with or without a lighter, said defence counsel Rebecca Herbert.

Tarbert, of Cort Crescent, Braunstone, Leicester, was remanded back into custody until May.