Police had said Power, 57 of Clinton Street, drove a Hyundai Accent north on Hill Street on December 21 about 2pm when he tried to turn left on Margaret Street and instead collided with the front of a stationary car in the middle of the intersection, which had been waiting to turn right.

Bystanders took his keys from him, he was unable to follow directions from police and the car had to be towed from the scene.

He admitted to police he was an alcoholic.

Power was convicted in Orange Local Court earlier this year of unlicensed and negligent driving.

Giving evidence on Monday, he confirmed he had consumed three glasses of wine in the hours prior to the incident, but he had also been drinking the night before.

He told the court he had not renewed his licence after a number of infringements while riding a motorcycle.

He confirmed he had argued with his mother that morning and rather than walk his dog to the Robin Hood to buy alcohol, he was "distressed and angry" and chose instead to drive 1.5 kilometres to Dan Murphy's.

He told the court family was helping him to reinstate his Centrelink payments so he could care for his mother.

Quizzed by Director of Public Prosecutions solicitor Sarah Tait, he said he had been driving for about six months without a licence.

Given Power's otherwise clean criminal history, Acting Judge Geoffrey Graham instead imposed a nine-month intensive corrections order, requiring him not to occupy the seat of a motor vehicle.

Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...