A YOUNG nightclub boss was groomed to take part in a plot to fake a robbery at the premises.

Durham University graduate Max Rauber, 22, had just taken over as manager of the city's DH1 night spot when he "reluctantly" agreed to become involved in the stage-managed robbery.

Fearful of mastermind David Simpson, who previously extorted money from Rauber, he revealed his personal alarm code and a detailed layout of the North Road club.

He was supposedly overpowered at gunpoint by robbers and forced to hand over the keys to his BMW car and to the club, when he arrived home, in Trimdon Grange, County Durham, from work on October 31, 2005.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court that the club was entered at 4.58am on October 31, using Rauber's code.

CCTV footage showed a figure leaving the club, pushing a trolley loaded with money to a car, at 5.35am.

Rauber, claiming to have broken free of his shackles, alerted a neighbour and then the police.

Inquiries revealed £37,691 was taken from the club, with more than £2,000 in coins left. Mr Towers said Simpson, who previously bragged to a barmaid, a former girlfriend, of his plan to rob the club, rang her two hours after the burglary claiming responsibility.

Rauber initially kept up with the story, but two days later made a confession. Simpson was already under arrest and his accomplice, Warren Hodgson, was then arrested and a search of his home revealed hand-written plans of the club, pinpointing the safe.

The keys, bearing Simpson's fingerprints, were also found.

Mr Towers said that apart from £4,000, spent after passing through Hodgson's bank account, the rest of the stolen money remains outstanding.

Rauber, 24, and living back in his native south-west Wales, admitted conspiracy to burgle in June last year.

Simpson, 25, of Front Street, Framwellgate Moor, and Hodgson, 35, of Linden Mews, Langley Park, both near Durham, admitted the charge last month.

Simpson, who also admitted arson, drugs offences and handling a stolen vehicle, was jailed for seven years and three months.

Hodgson, a former firefighter who quit the service with a back injury, was jailed for nine months.

Rauber was given a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years. He must perform 240 hours of unpaid work and pay £350 costs