Alan Dean Ramsay and Shaun Colin Johnson took the boat from South Marine Park in South Shields but were caught dragging it towards the sea.

When asked what they were doing, Johnson told officers he was Captain Jack Sparrow, the character made famous by Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and he was going to sail to Sunderland.

South Tyneside magistrates heard how the pair, who appeared in court on separate dates, even asked passers-by for help.

Ramsay, 26, and Johnson, 21, both admitted the June 13 theft.

Catherine Nicholas, prosecuting, said: "Both men were drunk. They told officers they had travelled to South Shields on the Metro.

"They had taken the boat from the park, across Sea Road and were heading towards the sea as they were going to sail to Sunderland.

"When approached by officers, Ramsay's co-accused, told police, 'I thought I was Captain Jack Sparrow and I was going to sail across the water to Pennywell.'"

The struggling pair were caught on CCTV as they tried to drag the pedalo across the road.

"Officers were directed to the Sundial pub by descriptions given by camera operators.

The court heard the boat sustained £200 damage in what was described as a "stupid drunken prank."

Lisa Down, defending, said: "While the offence was very serious, it was not planned or sophisticated.

"It was not organised. It came about as the offender was drunk. Mr Ramsay was suffering even more so as he was taking medication.

"He has admitted it was a stupid drunken prank."

Ramsay, of Palmerston Road, Sunderland, was given a 12-month community supervision order and ordered to pay £100 compensation.

Johnson, of Hurtswood Road, also in Sunderland, was ordered to pay £100 compensation, plus £65 costs. He was also fined £100 for failing to surrender to bail.