A 26-year-old father was caught driving along the M6 while disqualified and uninsured just two months after his wife gave birth to their first child, a court has heard. Dawid Rapczynski, of Parsons Street, Dudley, appeared before Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, July 28, after pleading guilty to driving while disqualified and using a vehicle without third party insurance.
Police stopped the Audi A6 he was driving on the northbound carriageway of the M6 on June 18. Checks revealed that Rapczynski was the subject of a court-ordered driving ban and that he had no insurance covering the vehicle. The court was told he was taking his unwell mother home after she had visited him in Nottingham.
Judge surprised at timing
District Judge Murray expressed astonishment that Rapczynski had chosen to break the law so soon after becoming a parent. "If my maths is correct the baby would have been two months then, I'm surprised that immediately after the baby was born, you decided to breach a court order," the judge said.
Prosecutor Ms Begum told the court that after officers stopped the vehicle, the driver identified himself, and a check confirmed his disqualification. "The roadside interview was conducted, he provided police with a full and frank admission," she said.
Solicitor offers mitigation
Rapczynski's solicitor, Ms Ali, acknowledged her client knew the seriousness of his actions. "He knows by being on this order and committing this offence when on a community order, he knows it's serious," she said. "He has expressed remorse for his actions. He doesn't have a substantial reason where it would be an emergency situation."
She explained that Rapczynski's mother had been visiting him from Nottingham and was not feeling well, so he decided to drive her back home. "He does explain that he was with his mother. He did have a passenger, I understand that's more of an aggravating factor," Ms Ali added.
Highlighting his limited previous record, Ms Ali said: "He doesn't have the usual hallmarks of someone who has been stopped by the police. He did provide a full and frank admission. He accepted his wrongdoing." The court also heard Rapczynski had previously been banned from driving for excess alcohol.
Suspended sentence and new ban
District Judge Murray told Rapczynski he "must pass a custodial sentence" of 24 weeks, but suspended it for 12 months. "It is now in your hands," he said. The judge identified aggravating factors including carrying a passenger, driving on a motorway, and having "absolutely no reason to drive."
Rapczynski was also disqualified from driving for a further 18 months, making a total ban of 31 months, and was ordered to pay £239 in costs and charges. Delivering a final warning, the judge said: "If you drive while disqualified, you will go to prison."
