A DRIVER whose behaviour added to a night of chaos on the A59 in North Yorkshire was banned from driving yesterday and told he may face a prison sentence.

Harrogate magistrates heard that Mark Wayne Pantry, 33, had driven so badly he had been involved in two accidents within minutes in the Kirk Hammerton area.

His white Metro had been one of hundreds stuck in traffic jams on the evening of September 20.

Stephanie Waite, prosecuting, said Pantry, of Nunthorpe Avenue, Scarcroft Road, York, had hit the back of a car driven by George Newlands and then overtaken it.

Within a short distance, Pantry encountered another hold-up, and tried to force his Metro, with part of its front hanging off, down the centre of the road between the lanes and hit a Ford Focus, a Ford Mondeo and a Subaru Impreza. He then got out and sat on the roadside, before throwing his car keys at a driver who asked him for his details. He then left the scene on foot.

Mrs Waite said when police traced Pantry, he told them he had been stuck in traffic for more than two hours on his way to Harrogate and had turned back towards home.

He said frustration had caused him to drive the way he did.

Pantry pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, two offences of failing to stop after an accident and two of failing to report accidents.

Court chairman Pauline Ward called for probation reports to be prepared and adjourned the hearing until February 17.

Pantry was given bail but banned from driving in the meantime, and warned that all sentencing options, including prison, would be considered.