A DRUNKEN bandit who threatened to shoot a service station attendant when he refused to give him cigarettes, says he is a changed man after a short stint behind bars.

Teenager Levi James Love entered the Warwick service station at about 11pm on February 11.

With his face concealed and one arm behind his back "pretending to be armed", Love threatened the lone employee with a "weapon".

When the attendant saw through Love's facade, the teenager told the man he would return with a gun, shoot him and take everything.

Police arrived promptly and Love attempted to run out a side door, with officers drawing their firearms to subdue the teenager.

Following his arrest, the Warwick resident was so intoxicated by alcohol and marijuana that police officers were unable to interview him until the following day.

He pleaded guilty in the Warwick District Court yesterday to a charge of attempted armed robbery.

The unemployed teenager - who the court is expecting a child with his younger, former girlfriend - told the court the 18 days he spent in custody following his arrest were enough to set him straight.

Love told the court he had at one time thought jail was his only future but he now saw there was more to life and had since abstained from alcohol and illegal drugs.

During sentencing, defence lawyer Scott Lynch asked that no conviction be recorded against Love, as it was likely to impact his chances of gaining employment.

Mr Lynch told the court Love was already at a disadvantage in that area, as he suffered from autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Crown Prosecutor Noel Needham argued that Love had already been granted a chance at rehabilitation in January, when the teen had no conviction recorded after pleading guilty to a break and enter at a Warwick club.

The teenager was placed on two years probation and no conviction was recorded.