A BOATER took to the water drunk and destroyed another man's £20,000 yacht as he and a friend were thrown into the water and had to be rescued, a court heard.

The case against Roger Gates, 60, of Flushing and accused of navigating a boat under the influence of drink, failing to maintain a lookout and failing to avoid a collision in June last year has been adjourned until next month.

Gates was travelling back to his home at Trevissome from Falmouth in his rigid inflatable boat (RIB).

He and a friend ended up in the water and needed rescuing by a lifeboat after the RIB hit a navigation buoy and then went on to collide with a yacht, sinking it.

Mr Gates had already pleaded not guilty to all three offences and on Tuesday he appeared at Truro Magistrates' Court for trial.

The prosecution made its case, but because of time limitations, the matter had to be adjourned.

Prosecutor Jill Wilson said a police officer saw Mr Gates and his friend as they went to get on board the boat at the Prince of Wales Pier after an evening out in the town.

In interview Mr Gates admitted drinking five pints of beer and that he would not have driven a car.

Deputy harbourmaster Mark Killingback said a local byelaw states any vessel in that area should be going a maximum of eight knots.

RNLI helmsman on the night of the incident, Dave Nicholl, said in his statement the RIB engine was at full throttle which meant it was travelling at between 25 and 30 knots when the collision occurred.

The £20,000 yacht, Windflower, belonging to Christopher Widdicombe was written off in the incident.

Defence solicitor Dieter Kheller argued that there was no case to answer, stating the evidence was tenuous as nobody saw how Mr Gates was driving the RIB.

The trial is due to continue.