Dylan James Bateman appeared at Wagga Local Court on Monday after pleading guilty to charges of mid-range drink-driving and driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs.

The 29-year-old Ashmont man's solicitor told the court during the sentencing hearing that his client was trying to turn his life around.

Documents tendered to the court state that on October 26 Bateman was driving along Bruce Street behind a Black Suzuki SV4.

When the car in front indicated to turn right onto Bruce Street and stopped, Bateman crashed into it, causing significant damage.

Police arrived and found him breathing, but verbally unresponsive while the SV4's driver and passengers were uninjured. Paramedics arrived and removed Bateman from his car, but he was flinching and clenching.

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Bateman returned a blood sample positive for meth and an expert report advised he was under the influence of ice at the time of the crash.

Then, in a separate event, Bateman was pulled over by police on Northcott Parade on January 1. When police approached the driver's window, they could smell alcohol. Bateman's eyes were glazed and he was slurring.

After a positive breath test, he was arrested and taken to Wagga Police Station. Bateman had a reading of 0.144. His solicitor, Zac Tankard, said Bateman was the father of two young children and a qualified plumber who had established his own business with a family member.

"He draws very meagre wages at the moment because the business is taking off," he said. "Drugs became quite a problem some eight years ago when he was diagnosed with cancer."

Mr Tankard said Bateman had taken multiple steps to address his offending, including appointments with health professionals and reaching out to drug and alcohol counselling.

"He has done pretty much everything he possibly can," he said. "It does appear he wants to change his life."

Magistrate Christopher Halburd acknowledged Bateman had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, and that he was moving in the direction to do something about his behaviour.

But he said it was troubling he had a prior mid-range drink-driving matter and even more so because Bateman was caught after a "serious example of driving under the influence of drugs".

He sentenced Bateman to a 12-month community correction order with the condition he abstain from drugs or alcohol.

He was also fined $1000 and banned from driving for six months, with an interlock order for 24 months.

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