An “experienced seaman” crashed his yacht into rocks leaving his three passengers “lucky not to be paralysed” after drinking at least a bottle of wine, a court heard.

Ian Sullivan, 55, enjoyed a day out on his boat with his partner and friends on September 24, 2022, setting off from Christchurch, Dorset at midday and anchoring at Colwell Bay on the Isle of Wight half an hour later for a meal and drinks, Portsmouth crown court was told.

Judge Newton-Price KC told the court that Sullivan, an architect, must have had at least one bottle of wine and that his passengers, Greg and Grace Mills and Marina Webster, “wouldn’t have got in the car with you”.

Sullivan, from Swindon, proceeded to drive the £200,000 boat,