AN assistant pub manager, who staged a bogus robbery to pocket more than £3,000, has been spared a jail sentence.

Steven Gray was suffering from depression when he claimed raiders came into the New Rose and Crown in Rubery and attacked him.

But manager Carrie-Ann Muddiman found the missing safe key in the main bar by the cash till and a police inquiry began, Worcester Crown Court heard.

A total of £1,470 was found stashed by the pub door, but the rest of the cash was never recovered.

Gray, aged 36, of Ledbury Court, Ruthall Close, Weoley Castle, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to theft and perverting the course of justice.

Recorder David Mason said the fake robbery was "farcical" and may have been carried out to help pay off Gray's debts.

Normally those who stole from their employers went to jail, he added, but Gray's state of mind had been altered by heavy drinking and depression.

"It was an act of desperation and you were bound to be caught," he said.

He gave Gray an 18-month community order with supervision by the probation service.

Gray had taken over from his manager because she was ill when he claimed robbers stole £3,860 from the safe on July 17 this year after dragging him outside, said Michael Conry, prosecuting.

The defendant had a self-inflicted cut on his head, was crying and covered in leaves when seen by other staff.

Lee Marklew, defending, said: "This was a clumsy, ham-fisted attempt to better himself and elicit sympathy from others. He is not criminal by nature and it must have arisen from depression."

Mr Marklew said Gray had been working long hours, was upset from a broken romance and had drunk wine and vodka. He had debts of £4,500, but could not explain where the rest of the pub money had gone.

He was now unemployed and on incapacity benefit.