A road rage driver who caused a pile up in which two children were injured was spared a jail sentence yesterday because a judge said the consequences for his wife and family would be disastrous.

Jason Woodhouse, 31, who admitted dangerous driving on the on the A64 between York and Scarborough, near to the Pickering interchange was ordered to do 240 hours of community service and was banned from driving for a year.

York Crown Court heard Woodhouse, of Edge Lane, Thornhill, Dewsbury, drew alongside another car at 75mph in his BMW on the west-bound dual carriageway, blew his horn and gesticulated to the other driver.

Prosecutor Alan Mitcheson said Alan Thompson, driving a Ford Fiesta, gave Woodhouse a V-sign in retaliation.

Woodhouse pulled his car straight in front of Mr Thompson and braked hard.

Mr Thompson's two young children, Jason and Jenny, were in the rear seat of the car.

Jason smashed his face into the window, and needed to be taken to hospital by ambulance. Jenny received whiplash injuries and cuts caused by a seatbelt.

Woodhouse failed to stop, but returned to the scene 45 minutes later after the police arrived.

He told officers he had his own three children in the car and gestured to the other driver because he believed he was driving in an idiotic manner.

Dan Edwards, for Woodhouse, said: "He takes full responsibility for causing the injuries to the children in the other car."

Judge David Bentley told Woodhouse he was in danger of going to jail but that would he a disaster for his wife and children. It would mean him losing his job, make it difficult to meet his mortgage and probably end up with the family losing their home.