A hostel resident must pay £200 compensation to a woman worker after his spittle left her with health worries.
Andrew Warne, 54, appeared at the city's magistrates' court where he admitted assault at the London Road Project in Nottingham.
His spit landed on the cheek of the woman, who believed that he suffers from Hepatitis C, and feared infection.
Deputy District Judge Olwyn Davies told him: "People like this lady don't earn a lot of money.
"They do a lot of good and sacrifice a lot and do it because they care about people. This is no way to treat her."
The judge imposed a 20-week prison term, suspended for 18 months, on Warne who has been allowed to remain at the hostel.
He also pleaded guilty to having the drug mamba when he spat at the woman on Wednesday, July 3.
Warne told the judge: "I am disgusted with myself. That is not me normally."
Lynsey Wadkinson, mitigating, said: "He does accept this but has no recollection due to his alcohol consumption and memory problems.
"He accepts the lady has no reason to lie. He is simply disgusted that he would act in such a manner."
Warne began to use drugs 30 years ago as a means of trying to cope with his mother's death. This has led to several health problems including liver damage.
Miss Wadkinson said: "He is under treatment for a brain problem to see if he has some form of Alzheimer's."
He had managed to get clean after going to a detox unit but the problems returned when he went back to the hostel, added Miss Wadkinson. He hopes to get the treatment again.
There was a dispute between Warne and the woman and he briefly turned away, said Daniel Pietryka, prosecuting.
"He turned back and spat deliberately, leaning into her face. It was all quite deliberate," added Mr Pietryka.
Warne must attend ten anger management sessions and pay £85 prosecution costs.
