Brenten Simon Zessin in Taree court for stealing cash from former employer Jack and Co BP servo

The sacked worker of a busy Mid-North Coast cafe and service station snuck in through a side door, nabbed keys to the till and stole cash, a court has heard.

The Jack and Co BP on Commerce Street at Taree West.

The former employee of a busy Mid-North Coast cafe and service station snuck in through a side door, nabbed keys to the till and stole cash.

But in an odd twist, Brenten Simon Zessin went back to the Jack and Co and branded BP on Commerce St, Taree to return stolen money on one occasion.

The 33-year-old Wingham man has pleaded guilty to two counts of break and enter and stealing valued at less than $60,000.

Zessin has been struggling with a gambling problem since age 20, police state in Taree Local Court documents.

He worked at the cafe and service station for one year and six months before he was sacked on June 6.

Brenten Simon Zessin (right) speaks with his lawyer outside court on Tuesday.

On the afternoon of August 25, Zessin went into the main office through a side roller door and took keys to the cash register.

He stole $450 and returned the key to its hook.

Zessin returned two days later, noticed the worker on duty was distracted and he entered a closed side door. He again took keys – but this time returned the money.

Several days later, on September 1, Zessin returned and took $500 from the till, court documents state.

Staff noticed the missing cash and reported it to police, who arrested Zessin the next day.

Zessin told officers he was sorry.

“I know I have done the wrong thing. I know how wrong it is,” he said.

On Tuesday, Zessin’s defence lawyer told the court he would be applying to have charges dealt with under the Mental Health Act.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on January 15.