A terrified woman believed she was going to be burnt to death by her ex-lover when he doused her in what she thought was petrol and held a lighter to her throat, a court heard.

Diane Sauerbach was allegedly confronted by Alan McMinn outside her home in Wainscott in September last year.

The couple were said to have had an "on-off relationship" in which 48-year-old McMinn "intimidated and belittled" Miss Sauerbach.

Following their break-up in January 2010 there had been a long-running dispute over money, the court heard, which then culminated in the alleged attack.

Maidstone Crown Court was told Miss Sauerbach had driven to her home at about 7pm on September 14 and parked her car when she noticed McMinn was waiting in his car.

Sunil Rupasinha, prosecuting, said that before she was able to get out of her vehicle, McMinn was at her car door.

"She noticed he had a clear plastic glove on his right hand, the sort you see on a petrol station forecourt," said Mr Rupasinha.

"He said he wanted his money and she said she didn't have it. He then grabbed her by the neck and jaw and poured quite a lot of fluid over her head, dress and onto the car seat.

"He then lit a lighter and passed it to and fro under her throat, telling her it was petrol he had poured over her," continued the prosecutor.

"Obviously she was petrified and feared she was about to be burnt to death." The court heard Miss Sauerbach screamed for help but McMinn continued to threaten her, telling her that if he did not get his money he would "burn your mum first and then you after".

Having let Miss Sauerbach out of her car, McMinn then grabbed her handbag and started to walk off.

Miss Sauerbach tried to pull him back, ripping his shirt and jumper in the process. "He turned and ripped her dress, exposing her underwear," added Mr Rupasinha.

"She punched him but he headbutted her to the left hand side of the head and then punched the back of her head."

The court heard Miss Sauerbach called out to two women passing by to call the police and then fled to a friend's house.

McMinn himself rang the police, alleging that he had been attacked by Miss Sauerbach.

An officer to spoke to Miss Sauerbach said she was "extremely upset and distressed". Her injuries included bruising to her left temple, behind her ear, her upper right arm and ribs.

McMinn was interviewed and he told officers he had gone to see Miss Sauerbach after she failed to answer a note he had written to her regarding money he said he was owed.

He said that as he went to speak to her she "clawed at his throat" and he had pushed her back towards the car.

"He said she jumped on his back and he had to get her off," said the prosecutor. "He denied holding a lighter to her face or threatening to kill her... He said any assault was in self defence because she attacked him."

McMinn, formerly of Greenacres, New Romney, but now living in Luton, denies assault causing actual bodily harm and making a threat to kill.

The trial continues.