James Howells, a man from Newport, is in court trying to recover a hard drive containing Bitcoin worth around £600 million, which he claims was mistakenly thrown away by his ex-partner and is now buried in a landfill. He has alleged that the council is refusing him access to the site and is seeking either access or £495 million in compensation. During the hearing, council lawyers argued that Howells’ proposal to donate part of the Bitcoin to the community was akin to bribery. Howells insists he deserves a chance to retrieve his digital fortune, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding ownership rights over his Bitcoin. The judge has not yet made a decision on whether the case will proceed to a full trial.
Title: Bid for Lost Bitcoin Hard Drive Stirs Court Drama
In a dramatic court session, James Howells, a man from Newport, has asked the High Court for permission to search a landfill for a hard drive he claims contains Bitcoin now valued at around £600 million. Howell’s legal team stated that the hard drive was mistakenly thrown away by his former partner in 2013, and he believes it lies in the Docksway landfill.
However, the Newport council is opposing Howell’s claims, arguing that it has no obligation to excavate its landfill and that the property buried there legally belongs to the local authority. Council barrister James Goudie accused Howell of trying to bribe the council by offering to donate 10% of the Bitcoin to the local community, calling it an attempt to “play fast and loose.”
Howells’ barrister, Dean Armstrong, dismissed these remarks as unfortunate and insisted that Howell has a rightful claim to access the site. After the hearing, Judge Keyser KC reserved his decision, leaving Howell’s future search efforts in limbo. Mr. Goudie emphasized that Bitcoin enthusiasts must adhere to the law just like everyone else, further complicating Howell’s quest for his valuable digital asset.
As this case unfolds, it raises important questions about property rights, legal obligations, and the complex nature of asset recovery in the digital age. The next steps remain uncertain, but the stakes are undeniably high for Howell and his hopes of reclaiming a fortune lost in time.
Tags: Bitcoin, Hard Drive, Court Case, Newport, Digital Assets, Property Rights, James Howells
What happened with the man and the Newport council?
A man is suing the Newport council because he lost a hard drive containing Bitcoin worth £600 million that he accidentally threw away.
Why did he throw it away?
He mistakenly tossed the hard drive in a rubbish bin while cleaning up, not realizing it had his Bitcoin wallet on it.
What does he want from the council?
He wants the council to help him recover the lost Bitcoin and hold them responsible for not allowing a search of the landfill where the rubbish went.
Can the council really do anything about this?
The council has laws and policies about waste management, so they might not be able to help him find the hard drive.
Is it likely he will win the lawsuit?
It’s hard to say. The outcome will depend on the legal arguments and evidence presented in court.
