A worker dealing with tenancy deposits and access to sensitive landlord and tenant details stole more then £7,000 from his company, a court heard.
And after being cautioned on condition that he pay the money back to Computershare, he failed to do and was taken to court.
Michael Corbiere, 27, of Allanmead in Hengrove, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.
Judge William Hart sentenced him to six months' in prison, suspended for 12 months.
He told Corbiere: "This was not a particularly sophisticated theft.
"You admitted it straight away in disciplinary proceedings.
"You were given a conditional caution to pay the money back, but unfortunately that could not be met."
Corbiere was told not to re-offend, undergo rehabilitation and pay £1,200 compensation.
Chloe Griggs, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Corbiere was employed by Computershare as a customer services representative from August 13, 2018.
She told the court: "He was part of the deposit protection service department, dealing with tenancy deposits.
"He had access to sensitive landlord and tenant details."
Miss Griggs said the company discovered that, between October 1 and 15, 2018, Corbiere processed six unauthorised deposit refunds worth £7,648.76 to his own bank account.
When confronted by the company he admitted the fraud.
Analysis of his available funds left the company £4,598.37 short - and police handed him a caution on condition he repay the full amount that he owed.
When Corbiere failed to pay up he was prosecuted.
Dianne Heys, defending, said: "He fully admitted the offence.
"He was happy to comply with the conditional caution but his finances did not allow that to happen."
Miss Heys said her client fully understood what he had done was a breach of trust, he would say he has learnt his lesson, and he was now working for a fast food chain.
