A judge has blocked a man’s legal bid to get back his 600 million pounds (about $750 million) Bitcoin fortune that was lost in a landfill 10 years ago. James Howells, 39, launched the lawsuit after he abandoned a hard drive containing his cryptocurrencies in Newport, Wales in 2013. BBC,
Since his misfortune, Howells has proposed to fully finance the excavation process and give 25% of the recovered bitcoins to Newport City Council.
However, the council rejected his proposal, leading to a decade-long effort by Howells to recover his lost cryptocurrency.
On Thursday, it was reported that Judge Keyser, the Circuit Commercial Judge for Wales, dismissed Howells’ lawsuit seeking permission to dig.
In his ruling, Judge Keyser said Howells had “no reasonable grounds” to file a claim and that there was “no realistic prospect” of success if the case went to trial.
Keyser explained, “The particulars of the claim demonstrate no reasonable basis for bringing this case. Additionally, the claim has no realistic prospect of success at trial, nor any compelling reason for it to proceed to trial.” Is.”
The judge also upheld the council’s argument that the hard drive belonged to him, and ruled that Howells had no right to it.
He concluded, “In my judgment, the Council’s reasoning is sound and the claims are fully defended.”
Howells expressed his disappointment at the decision, telling the British outlet that he felt “very upset” and compared the decision to “being kicked”.
“Having the case thrown out for hearing does not give me a chance to explain myself or seek justice in any form,” he said.
“There’s a lot more I could have presented in a full trial, and that’s what I anticipated.”
He also noted his consistent efforts to engage with Newport City Council over the past 12 years.
“I have made every effort to communicate with the council,” he said. “It’s not about greed – I’m willing to share the income – but no one in a position of power is willing to have a proper conversation with me.”
“This decision took away everything from me and left me with nothing,” he said.
“This great British injustice system is at work once again.”
