A “controlling” husband allegedly threatened to stab his wife after imprisoning her in their Ipswich flat, a court has heard.

Nyarai Nengomasha allegedly snatched his wife Danielle Nengomasha’s phone and car keys and physically prevented her from leaving their Ipswich home, the town’s Crown Court heard.

Charles Kellett, prosecuting, said the couple, who had been married since 2011, had a good relationship until May last when Mrs Nengomasha started a new job.

Charles Kellett described Nengomasha as “somewhat controlling” and said his wife thought he was jealous about her new job and friends.

The court heard that in June last year Mrs Nengomasha visited a friend and while she was there her husband had turned up and had allegedly slapped her face during an argument.

On June 30 last year Mrs Nengomasha returned to their flat in Siloam Place, Ipswich, after a night out and her husband had allegedly grabbed her phone and started looking at her messages.

As she went to leave the flat Nengomasha had allegedly tried to stop her leaving and snatched the flat key and her car keys.

Mrs Nengomasha managed to get to a communal area and shout for help but was allegedly pushed back into the flat by her husband.

He then ordered her to drive to a friend’s house but during the journey he changed his mind and allegedly grabbed the handbrake and “yanked” it up.

“There was potential to cause damage to other road users,” said Mr Kellett.

The couple went back to their flat and when Mrs Nengomasha tried to leave her husband had allegedly physically stopped her by blocking her way out of the door.

He had also allegedly produced a kitchen knife and threatened to stab her in the stomach, said Mr Kellett.

Mrs Nengomasha had contacted the police and pictures were taken of a number of injuries including bruises on her arms and behind her ear.

Nengomasha, 41, has denied two offences of assault by beating, false imprisonment and causing danger to road users by interfering with a car.

After his arrest, Nengomasha told officers his wife’s allegations were “a pack of lies”.

“He said Danielle was setting him up and was prepared to tell lies to the police to get him into trouble,” said Mr Kellett.

The trial continues.