Two Castletown men have denied stealing a motor boat and being drunk in charge of it after a lifeboat and the coastguard were called out to rescue them.

Stephen Michael Creer, aged 22, and 23-year-old Kyle John Blackley, of Farrants Way, are alleged to have become stranded after taking the boat from Castletown harbour.

In court, they both pleaded not guilty to taking a vessel without consent, being drunk in charge of a vessel, and property damage.

Mr Creer, who lives at Malew Street, also denied an additional charge of possessing class ’C’ drugs Pregabalin and diazepam.

Prosecuting advocate Rebecca Cubbon told the court that it is alleged that the two men took the Shetland 535 motor boat ’Lindy Lou’ from Castletown harbour on June 8 at 10.30pm.

They were said to have tried to accelerate out of the harbour but then found that the boat was still attached to the quay by a rope.

It is then alleged that one of them burned the rope to free it using a lighter before they headed out to sea.

However, a 999 call was then received to assist the stranded boat which was said to be three miles east of Castletown.

The coastguard and Port St Mary lifeboat were called out and the boat was located.

They were then said to have followed the lifeboat back into Port St Mary harbour.

Ms Cubbon submitted that the case was suitable to remain in summary court for trial.

Magistrates accepted jurisdiction and a pre-trial review will be held on September 9.

Bail continues for both in the sum of £500 with conditions to live at their home addresses.