17-3-2025 – A British tech enthusiast has faced yet another crushing defeat in his remarkable pursuit to recover a fortune in digital currency, now valued at $660 million, from beneath mountains of refuse at a Welsh landfill.
The Court of Appeal’s latest ruling marks a significant blow to James Howells’ decade-long crusade to excavate the Docksway landfill in Newport, where his Bitcoin-laden hard drive was inadvertently discarded in 2013. Lord Justice Nugee determined the case lacked sufficient merit for a full hearing, echoing January’s High Court verdict by Justice Keyser.
Undeterred by this series of legal rebuffs, the determined Welshman has announced his intention to escalate the matter to the European Convention on Human Rights. Howells contends that British authorities have infringed upon his property rights and denied him a fair trial, fundamental protections enshrined in ECHR legislation.
Time appears to be working against the early Bitcoin adopter, as local authorities have scheduled the contentious landfill site for closure during the 2025-26 fiscal period. The Newport City Council has consistently blocked attempts to conduct a search operation, despite Howells’ repeated proposals.
The case has evolved into a pointed critique of the British legal system, with Howells expressing his frustration on social media platform X: “The state always protects the state.” While the ECHR lacks direct authority to overturn UK court decisions, a favourable ruling could prompt British courts to reassess their interpretation of relevant legislation.
This extraordinary tale, involving 8,000 Bitcoin tokens, serves as a stark reminder to cryptocurrency investors about the critical importance of secure digital asset management. Howells plans to submit his ECHR application in the forthcoming weeks, marking perhaps the final chapter in this unprecedented legal battle.
This modern cautionary tale has gained particular resonance as Bitcoin’s value has skyrocketed, transforming what might once have seemed a regrettable mistake into one of Britain’s most valuable buried treasures.
