A judge told a Warmley teenager who admitted two burglaries that he was in danger of ruining his life.
But he gave Iordanis Nikoloudakis a chance to avoid immediate jail by not reoffending and opening up about himself for a probation report.
Nikoloudakis, 19, of Malvern Drive, pleaded guilty to a house break-in, possessing a Class A drug, theft and burglary of a shed.
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Judge James Patrick said the offences could attract an eight-month jail term.
Instead, he deferred sentence until March 16.
He told Nikoloudakis: "You are a young man who is in danger of ruining his life.
"This is a serious collection of offences.
"If you stay out of trouble, engage with probation and stop taking drugs on March 16 I will suspend the sentence.
"If not you will go straight inside for a period of eight months."
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Caitlin Evans, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Nikoloudakis was with another person in December last year when he smashed the window of a flat in Cotham and grabbed £400 worth of possessions.
In February when police tried to detain him he ran off and discarded a bag of Class B drug Spice, the court heard.
Miss Evans said in May Nikoloudakis stole a charity box from Star cash and carry in Roman Road, Easton, estimated to have contained some £550.
The court heard in July Nikoloudakis burgled the shed of a flat in Easton and stole a laptop computer worth £300.
Judge Patrick found the teenager was "cagey" when interviewed by the probation service for a pre-sentence report - and said he wanted a more open response.
The judge told Nicholas Clough, defending: "I would be very grateful if you put him in a room and give him a stern talking to as to being frank."
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