Luke John Booth, 32 of Shooters Hill Road, appeared before magistrate Michael Allen in Bathurst Local Court on September 5, charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and the possession of a restricted substance.

His solicitor James Horsburgh said his client was born and bread in Oberon and hadn’t never come to the attention of police until two years ago, when he became involved with a girl and started using drugs.

Mr Horsburgh said within 18 months, Booth’s life had spiraled out of control.

He said on the day in question he had been working his horses, and was on the way to assist a friend; he left his home and pulled over at a rest area at the Scots School to have a sleep because he was tired.

“He left the heater on and the car running; he doesn’t know how the car got knocked into gear, but it rolled into a fence.”

Mr Horsburgh said the police attended and his client was fully compliant and made full admissions to the paraphernalia found in the car.

Police facts tendered to the court told how on September 9, 2015 Booth failed to negotiate a bend at Lee Street, with his car colliding into a rural stock fence.

Police attended and found Booth either sleeping or unconscious, and only woke when they opened the door.

Police searched the vehicle and located a bong, smoking pipes, two sets of electronic scales, resealable bags with a crystal substance, two vials of steroids and hunting knives.

Booth admitted ownership of the two vials of steroids and the hunting knives but denied ownership of the bongs, pipes and scales.

For driving under influence [second offence] Mr Allen convicted Booth, placing him on a Section 9 Bond for one year, disqualified him for six months and placed him on an interlock order 24 months.

For the possession of of a prescribed restricted substance (the two vials of steroids), he was convicted and fined $400 .