An Ipswich mother threatened to kill a woman who was going to be a witness against her in a court case, it has been alleged.

Pamela Diver was on a bus with her children when the witness boarded the vehicle with a friend and deliberately sat away from her, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Diver had allegedly started shouting abuse at the woman, who was due to give evidence against her in a trial at a magistrates’ court sitting in Ipswich, and then moved to a seat in front of her and continued the abuse, said Richard Kelly, prosecuting.

At one stage she allegedly tried to punch the woman but the blow was deflected and landed on her arm instead of her face.

A second alleged blow was also deflected and Diver ended up scratching the witness’s friend on the face.

Diver had allegedly threatened to kill the woman and after getting off the bus she had allegedly reinforced her threat by banging on the windows near to where the witness was sitting, said Mr Kelly.

The 39-year-old, of Spenser Road, Ipswich, has denied witness intimidation and two offences of common assault on August 6 last year.

The trial continues.