A West Midlands driver who provided police with a false name and address during a traffic stop, causing an innocent man 'huge distress', has been jailed. Adam Rybicki, aged 60, was stopped by West Midlands Police on Holyhead Road in Birmingham on August 7, 2024, for using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.
False Identity Provided
Prosecutor Robert Cowley stated that Rybicki gave officers the name 'Christian Benner' and an address on Beach Avenue, Wolverhampton. However, no Christian Benner lived at that address. The actual resident received a letter about the incident and returned it, stating he was not the driver.
Police used artificial intelligence to identify Rybicki from body-worn camera footage, and a marker was placed on police systems indicating he was wanted.
Second Traffic Stop
On November 20, 2024, Rybicki was stopped again while driving a car with mismatched registered keeper and insurance details. He gave another false name, Marek Rudnicki, and was arrested after fingerprint scanning. He provided a false address and answered 'no comment' during interview.
The innocent man from the first incident complained of receiving multiple letters and suffered stress and fear, worrying that police might arrive at his home.
Court Proceedings
Rybicki appeared via video link from HMP Birmingham, wearing a dark t-shirt and a Christian cross necklace. He pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid licence. He had previous convictions for fraud and drink driving.
Defence counsel Eoin Campbell said Rybicki, who required a Polish interpreter, found prison difficult due to age and poor English. He had been working in the prison canteen and expressed deep regret for his actions.
Recorder Michael Duck KC sentenced Rybicki to 10 months for each perverting the course of justice charge, to run consecutively, totalling 20 months. He also issued penalty points for the driving offences, stating that Rybicki showed no regard for road traffic laws and caused others to become embroiled in the system.
