An unsuspecting Wolverhampton homeowner endured considerable stress and anxiety after a stranger gave his name and address during a police traffic stop, a court has heard.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court, the man described the ongoing distress his family has experienced due to the false information supplied by 60-year-old Adam Rybicki. On August 7, 2024, following a traffic stop in Birmingham, Rybicki falsely identified himself using the name “Christian Benner” and the Beach Avenue address of his victim.
West Midlands Police stopped Rybicki on Holyhead Road for using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt, according to Crown prosecutor Robert Cowley. Subsequently, the homeowner received official correspondence regarding the incident. Concerned, he promptly returned the form, clarifying he was not the driver at that time.
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Utilizing artificial intelligence to analyze the officer’s body-worn camera footage, police confirmed a high likelihood that Rybicki was the individual involved. A wanted notice was issued for Rybicki, but he was only arrested on November 20 after being stopped in Birmingham due to a mismatch between the vehicle’s registered keeper and insured person.
During this encounter, Rybicki again provided a false identity, this time “Marek Rudnicki.” Police used fingerprint scanning technology before taking him into custody, where he also gave a fictitious address. While initially refusing to comment during interview, he later pleaded guilty to two counts of perverting the course of justice and driving without a valid licence or insurance.
The homeowner revealed that he had received multiple letters connected to the false identity over time, which deeply impacted his health and caused ongoing anxiety. “He feared police might raid his home seeking the fake individual, plunging him and his family into significant distress,” Mr. Cowley stated.
Sentenced on June 12, Rybicki received 20 months in prison for his offences, alongside penalty points for driving without a licence and insurance. The court also took into account his early guilty plea, granting him one-third reduction in his sentence.