A YOUTH tried to bribe a nightclub manager into turning a blind eye to drug dealing, a court heard.

The teenager held out £30 in ten pound notes to the licensee of Gem's in Ousegate, Selby, in a bid to persuade him to "give him the run of the place," said prosecutor Mike Duffy.

The 17-year-old added that if the manager did so "he would get more money than he had ever seen," York Youth Court heard.

The teenager denies the bribe offer. Youth justices heard he had 23 Ecstasy tablets and £129.50 in cash on him.

His solicitor, Keith Haggerty, said a drug dealer, whom the youth refused to name, gave him the drugs and the money to hold for him.

The Selby teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and breaching a 240-hour community punishment order for the second time, and was given a six-month detention and training order.

The youth pleaded tearfully with justices not to lock him up, saying: "I am sorry. Let me get on with my life."

And as the justice proclaimed sentence he begged: "Don't do this."

Mr Duffy said the youth approached the manager on November 4.

"The licensee realised that the offer meant he was to permit drug dealing on the premises," he said.

He took the youth's name and mobile phone number and called police. A search at the club revealed the illegal drugs and cash.

The teenager first told police £30 was his money and his girlfriend had given him the rest. Then he told police the unnamed man had given him the money.

Justices forfeited the money.

Mr Haggerty said the youth had had financial and college problems and had taken up the chance of a "cheap night out" when the unnamed drug dealer asked him to look after the Ecstasy while he did deals.

Updated: 15:09 Friday, December 28, 2001