A man was given a break after being caught smoking mamba while inside a sleeping bag as he lived on the streets.
City magistrates heard Gareth Stainsby, 39, has spent many years without a home but has finally found one.
He admitted having the drug on Canal Street on May 8 and was given a one-year conditional discharge. He must pay a £20 government surcharge.
Shannon Barlow, mitigating, said he had spent six months without a home when arrested.
"At the time he was using mamba to get through each day and each night whilst living rough on the streets. Things have changed since May more positively," said Miss Barlow.
She told the court that a housing charity has found him a home and give him support daily. It is his first settled address for many years, Miss Barlow added.
Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting, said: "Officers smelt mamba coming from a sleeping bag. Mr Stainsby was still smoking.
"He said that he found it on the floor and realised he should not be smoking an illegal drug."
Presiding magistrate Ken Mitchell told Stainsby of St Paul Avenue, Hyson Green: "We have heard that you are making progress and this court is going to try to hopefully enforce that with a conditional discharge.
"You are not being let off, you are being tested."
Stainsby, who used two crutches in court, was told the mamba will be destroyed.
