A British man’s effort to secure permission to search a landfill for his hard drive—containing private keys for 8,000 Bitcoin—has been denied by the UK Court of Appeal.
According to Howells’ March 14 X post, “appeal request to the Royal Court of Appeal was refused.”
He also criticized the legal system, remarking, “The Great British Injustice System strikes again… The state always protects the state,” and announced that his next step would be to appeal to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Judge Christopher Nugee of the Royal Court of Appeal rejected Howells’ application, asserting that it had no “real prospect of success” and offered “no other compelling reason.”

Adding to the urgency of the situation is the reported impending closure of the Docksway landfill site, where the hard drive is thought to reside. This looming deadline intensifies Howells’ determination to pursue every available legal avenue.
Despite the repeated setbacks, Howells remains resolute in his pursuit, emphasizing his commitment to holding the “British establishment” accountable. He has stated that he will not abandon his efforts, regardless of the time and resources required.