A 32-year-old man who threatened to kill his father after being told he could not borrow his car was ordered to undergo anger management.

Robert Branco, from Smith’s, pleaded guilty to using threatening language towards his father in an incident on June 7.

The court heard that at around 7pm, the complainant returned home and was immediately approached by Branco who asked to borrow the car.

When the complainant said ‘no’, citing previous incidents, Branco allegedly became agitated and began yelling.

During the ensuing argument, he reportedly tapped a knife holstered at his waist. His parents warned him that they would call and report him to the police, to which he responded: “You will be dead before they get here.”

He later left the home at his parents’ urging at which point the parents secured themselves in their bedroom out of fear for their safety.

Appearing in court, Branco said he had lashed out because he was frustrated, but he never had any intention to hurt his parents.

“When I get angry I say things, but I never act on them when it comes to people,” he said.

But while he claimed he was tapping his phone case, not a holstered knife, senior magistrate Juan Wolffe responded: “You didn’t say to them you were going to make a call. You said they would be dead before they got there. If anybody would want to make a phone call, it was them. You did that to intimidate them.”

He scolded Branco for his actions, saying he needed to show his parents greater respect before giving him a conditional discharge, with conditions including that he undergo anger management and whatever counselling was recommended for him.

It is The Royal Gazette’s policy not to allow comments on stories regarding criminal court cases. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.