Homeless Aaron Nelson says that life on the city streets has left him sick and disgusted with himself.
He told magistrates that he needs a roof over his head after sleeping in the doorway of Zara or a tent for six months.
"I feel dirty every day, I got an infection on the streets.
"I need help, I need somewhere to go. My life has been horrible," said Nelson, who had his 29th birthday on Friday.
He was arrested by police officers for failing to attend appointments with probation officers four times from January to April.
He admitted a breach of probation orders which came into effect when he was freed from his last prison sentence.
Nelson was told that probation officers would have helped with his problems but he replied: "I wanted to go but I smelt. I can't get a shower and feel disgusted at myself.
"I feel I have been punished enough," said Nelson as he urged the magistrates not to jail him again.
He was sent to prison for seven days. Presiding magistrate Farnoosh Shahrokhshahi told him: "Not turning up you have avoided having help. That is the point of probation.
"When you come out, you are still under probation and need to make sure you see them."
Rob Keeble, mitigating, said: "He needs help to drag himself out of this mire.
"As so many on the streets, he has taken mamba and I am sure that is not helping him at all."
