Michael Coates, 41, admitted he said he would petrol bomb a vehicle belonging to his father John Coates on July 7, 2025.

Appearing at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court, Coates pleaded guilty to threatening to damage or destroy property.

Michael Coates sent the threat to his father on Facebook. (Image: Solen Feyissa on Unsplash)

Jacqueline Hanlon, prosecuting, said: "John Coates received a Facebook message saying 'I know where you live and I shall petrol bomb your car'.

"The victim is in his eighties and has Parkinson's. He describes being very frightened by the message."

The court heard how Coates, of Station Road in Ormesby, had a difficult relationship with his father.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court. (Image: Great Yarmouth Borough Council)

Anne Baker, mitigating, said: "He has autism. He has learning difficulties. He is classified as disabled. He has Asperger's syndrome and paranoid schizophrenia.

"He is not mature for a man of his age at 41. He said nasty things like children do.

"His immaturity has to be taken into account."

Coates will next appear at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court on May 15 at 2pm.

He has been ordered not to contact his father.

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