A crown court judge has explained his decision not to ban a motorist who repeatedly lied to police to avoid prosecution. Adam Rybicki, a 60-year-old painter and decorator from Wolverhampton, provided false names and addresses to West Midlands Police during two separate traffic stops in Birmingham, leading to a 20-month prison sentence for perverting the course of justice.
First incident in 2024
On August 7, 2024, officers stopped Rybicki on Holyhead Road in Birmingham for using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Rybicki gave the false name 'Christian Benner' and a home address on Beach Avenue, Wolverhampton. Prosecutor Robert Cowley stated that if such a person existed, they did not live at that address.
Second stop in 2025
On November 20, 2025, Rybicki was stopped again in Birmingham after police noticed discrepancies between the registered keeper and insured driver of his Vauxhall Astra. He provided another false name, Marek Rudnicki, and no identification. Officers used a fingerprint scanner to identify him, leading to his arrest. During interview, he answered no comment.
Impact on innocent victim
The court was told that an innocent man living at the address Rybicki gave in 2024 received multiple letters addressed to Christian Benner and other names. This caused stress and distress to him and his family. West Midlands Police used artificial intelligence on body-worn footage to identify Rybicki, placing a wanted marker on his name.
Sentencing
Rybicki pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice, driving without a valid license, and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison: 10 months for each perverting the course of justice charge, to run consecutively. Despite his record of previous convictions for fraud and drink driving, Recorder Mr Duck KC chose not to impose a driving ban, instead issuing six penalty points for no license and three for no insurance.
Judge's reasoning
Recorder Duck explained: "I do not order disqualification because I take the view that the ability for you to be employed is likely one of the ways you will be kept out of trouble." He noted that Rybicki, who has worked as a self-employed painter and decorator since moving to the UK, had already spent seven months in custody. The judge warned that any further offences during his license period could lead to being brought back to court.
