A JEALOUS ex-husband has admitted threatening to torch the house of a pensioner and vowing to kill her son, who had begun a relationship with his ex-wife.

A JEALOUS ex-husband has admitted threatening to torch the house of a pensioner and vowing to kill her son, who had begun a relationship with his ex-wife.

Abusive Stephen Billman, 43, saw Doreen Churchyard by chance while she was shopping at Chantry Newspaper Shop in Hamilton Drive, Ipswich, on June 27 and launched a tirade of abuse at her.

Shouting across a public car park, Billman threatened the 70-year-old, leaving her afraid for her safety and considering moving from her home.

During a hearing at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court , father-of-three Billman pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour toward Mrs Churchyard.

Prosecuting, Godfried Duah told the court: "The lady walked out of the shop only to hear shouting across a car park nearby.

"When she turned around to look where the shouting was coming from Mr Billman was there.

"Some of the things he said were 'I'm going to kill your son' and 'I'm going to torch…your house'."

Mr Duah added that Billman also shouted that Mrs Churchyard's son was "a child molester".

He said stocky Billman, of Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich, would easily have intimated Mrs Churchyard, who weighs just eight stone.

"The lady became very intimidated and also scared for her safety at the time," he said.

"Due to the threats this woman is considering moving away from her home because this gentleman knows where she lives."

Defending, Sheree Dyer said that although Billman admitted using abusive, threatening or insulting words with intent to cause fear of, or to produce violence, at the time of the offence he did not actually approach Mrs Churchyard.

"Mr Billman accepts that he shouted and was abusive to Mrs Churchyard," she said.

"Almost two years ago Mr Billman's wife left and has been with Mrs Churchman's son since then.

"There were only words and abuse and Mr Billman was by his car as this happened.

"She actually came to his vehicle and that's where the incident took of.

"He didn't go seeking her out to cause problems, he did react when this happened."

Magistrate Bernie Stowe ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the case until sentencing on September 20.

Billman was released on unconditional bail.