A MINERS Rest man broke into his former business six times to steal cash to fuel his gambling habit, a court heard yesterday.Shane McCarty, 36, broke into Appeteasers Cafe in Sturt St between September 24 and October 3 last year using a set of keys he had found in his football bag after he had sold the business for about $70,000, the Ballarat Magistrates Court heard. Police Prosector Sen Const Clint Prebble said McCarty had parked at the rear of the business at 6.20pm on October 3 last year and taken off his shoes before using the set of keys to gain entry.Sen Cont Prebble said McCarty had taken $250 from a container inside a cupboard before being discovered by the cafe manager who called the police. He said McCarty admitted to committing five other burglaries at the cafe and stealing a total of $631 in cash. McCarty yesterday pleaded guilty to six counts of theft, six counts of burglary and six counts of going equipped to steal. Representing himself in court, McCarty said he had since paid the cafe owner $3000 to reimburse her for the stolen cash and pay for a new security system.McCarty said he had gambled all the money from the sale of the cafe on horses."I'm truly sorry for what's happened, I broke her (my wife's) trust and the trust of many other people . . . and I'm still getting on top of the problem," he said."I believe I'm reformed and am heading in the right direction with a lot of ongoing support."McCarty said he had been having regular counselling and had quit his job and coaching football for North City Football Club. The court heard McCarty had started a new job in Geelong in December and had been well supported by family and friends.Magistrate Peter Reardon said burglaries were serious offences and McCarty had continued to break into the cafe until he was caught."People who commit burglaries must face significant punishment," he said. "If these were residential burglaries, you'd be going to jail."McCarty was convicted and fined $9000 and ordered to pay costs.