Jobless ex-plumber Gerald Dore, 56, screamed: “F*** off, you c***,” as Mr. Corbyn, 71, who was with Mexican businesswoman wife Laura Alvarez, 51, beckoned him to cross in front of them.
Heavy-drinking batchelor Dore, of Conistone Way, Holloway pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr. Corbyn, just yards from his home in Berriman Road, Islington and using threatening behaviour towards Ms Alvarez, with intent to cause fear.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard it was during the first lockdown on May 20, last year that the couple encountered Dore at the junction with Seven Sisters Road.
“The victims are Jeremy Corbyn and his wife Ms Alvarez. On May the twentieth, last year in the morning they were cycling,” said prosecutor Matt Barrowcliffe.
“Jeremy Corbyn saw this defendant and made a gesture that he could cross.”
Dore - who claims the couple were in his way - immediately abused the pair. “Jeremy Corbyn said there was no need for that language and the defendant continued shouting and swearing aggressively towards both parties.
“He stepped forward and spat in his face.”
Afterwards the MP told police: “It was alarmed and distressed by the aggressive behaviour shown towards me and spitting in my face.”
The prosecutor added: “Ms Alvarez says she was fear of violence due to the level of vitriol and aggression the defendant was directing towards both of them.”
Wearing a green and purple rugby shirt in the dock Dore said: “I was shouting art him. I might have sprayed him, I don’t know.”
Claiming he was suffering chronic toothache at the time Dore added: “I don’t know him. I don’t dislike him, he was just in my way as I way trying to get home.
“They gave me opiates for the pain and I got addicted to them and the only way to get off is hair of the dog.”
Dore has a history of drink and drug abuse and the Probation Service feel he may offend for “attention-seeking” after being convicted in 2017 of assaulting a tv news reporter in Finsbury Park.
Reading their pre-sentence report District Judge Adrian Turner told Dore: “You say you have no negative feelings towards Jeremy Corbyn, have no negative views or were motivated by Jeremy Corbyn’s politics.
“It seems alcohol has played a part in many of your previous offences.”
Dore lives in a council flat near Mr. Corbyn and successfully fought eviction two years ago.
The court heard Mr. Corbyn had even assisted two of Dore’s friends - one now deceased - with their welfare issues.
The Probation Service described Dore as “isolated” with a medium-risk of harm, adding: “His offending may be a form of attention-seeking.”
He was assessed as somebody who could pose a serious risk at any time to members of the public, the media and those in the public eye.
Judge Turner announced: “I understand he (Mr. Corbyn)
may be more likely a target for abuse and violence than the average man in the street.
“It is the spitting that seems most serious. It is gross in usual circumstances, but at the time when infections were running very high it was a very serious thing to do.
“He may have been targeted, it is difficult to say,” added the judge, concussing the ugly incident was a “chance encounter.”
Dore was placed on an 18-month Community Order, which includes 80 hours Community Service Work and 30 days of rehabilitation.
He was also ordered to pay Mr. Corbyn £150 costs and Ms Alvarez £100.
“The fault was entirely yours. He thought you wanted to cross the road and signalled for you to do so and in exchange received a barrage of abuse, along with Ms Alvarez,” said Judge Turner.
“For no reason at all you were repeatedly abusive.”
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