Summary:
James Howells is suing his local council for access to a Bitcoin hard drive worth over $1.1 billion.
The hard drive was reportedly discarded by his girlfriend in 2013.
Council's barrister claims Howells attempted a bribe by offering 10% of the Bitcoin to the community.
Howells' lawyer argues he has a right to access his property.
The judge has reserved their decision for a later date.
A UK Man's Quest for His Lost Bitcoin
A UK man, James Howells, is taking legal action against his local council over a Bitcoin hard drive believed to be buried in a landfill for over a decade. According to Howells, the hard drive contains a Bitcoin wallet that is now valued at approximately ÂŁ600 million (over $1.1 billion).
Howells claims that his girlfriend accidentally discarded the hard drive in 2013, leading to its burial by Newport County authorities in Wales. He is seeking access to the landfill to recover his lost asset.
In a recent hearing, the council’s barrister, James Goudie, argued that Howells had attempted to offer 10% of the Bitcoin to the community, labeling it a bribe. He stated that the council has no obligation to excavate the site and that too much time has passed for Howells' claim to hold merit.
Howells’ legal representative, Dean Armstrong, countered that there was no bribery involved and emphasized that Howells deserves a declaration of rights over his Bitcoin ownership. He insists that the hard drive constitutes his property.
The judge has reserved their decision on the matter for a later date, leaving the future of this unique legal battle uncertain.
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