A jury has heard how a man accused of murdering his ex-partner phoned a friend telling him he had done “something really bad” to the mother-of-three.

Scott Ellis, 42, of Tunstall Green, Tunstall, near Woodbridge, denies murdering Jane Bartholomew with a claw hammer at Lark Rise, Martlesham, home during the morning of June 13.

The 39-year-old sustained 22 blows to her head and was found dead in her living room at around 9pm the same day.

On the second day of Ellis’ Ipswich Crown Court trial the jury was told the 42-year-old had previously made threats to kill Miss Bartholomew after their relationship had broken down.

It also heard evidence that Ellis telephoned his friend Jason Ball during the afternoon of June 13.

Mr Ball said he believed he had received around 12 calls from Ellis when he returned home after finishing work at 2pm. However, he only answered one of them.

He told the court Ellis sounded “very distressed” and was “really not making too much sense”.

Mr Ball said Ellis told him he “had finally done it” and would “do time for it”.

Cross-examined by Tony Cross, representing Ellis, Mr Ball said his friend told him: “I have done something really bad. You won’t see me again. I have gone and done it.”

When Mr Ball asked what he had done Ellis replied: “Jane – It’s sorted. I will be picked up (arrested) for what I have done.”

Mr Ball’s brother Stephen also gave evidence about conversations he had with Ellis in the weeks leading up to Miss Bartholomew’s death.

Ellis had been angry and felt rejected after he discovered she had joined an internet dating site. Their 25-year relationship broke down after Miss Bartholomew grew tired of Ellis being unemployed and wanting him to take responsibility for their three children, the court heard.

Stephen Ball said: “She wanted him to man-up.

“He obviously thought a lot of her. I don’t believe he wanted to lose her.

“He mentioned at one point he felt like taking a hammer to her, cutting her up, putting her in bags and putting her in the sea.”

At the start of the trial prosecutor Peter Gair said Ellis had lain in wait at Miss Bartholomew’s home with a ‘killing kit’ consisting of a claw hammer, craft knife, freezer bags, bin liners, nylon rope, scissors and duct tape. Using a spare key he entered her home after she took their young children to school and waited for her to return.

The jury were also told a few weeks earlier Ellis had assaulted Miss Bartholomew while she was having lunch in the car park of her workplace in Rendlesham.

The trial continues.