In a twist of fate that could have been scripted by the gods of irony, a British man found himself behind bars for nearly five months, all because he couldn’t bring himself to reveal his Bitcoin stash to a U.K. court. 🤦♂️
Graham Darby, a 50-year-old who must have thought he was playing a clever game of hide-and-seek, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for contempt of court. After serving 146 days and offering a mea culpa, he was finally released, according to Wales Online. 🕵️♂️
The saga began with a failed cryptocurrency transaction between Darby and Zi Wang, a 22-year-old Australian trader. They had agreed to swap 30 Bitcoin (BTC) for 400,000 Tezos (XTZ), with a promise to reverse the trade after two years. But as the value of Tezos soared, Wang found himself out of luck when Darby allegedly blocked him on Telegram and refused to uphold the agreement. 📢
Wang claimed this left him with losses ranging from £900,000 ($1.14 million) to £1.3 million. Darby, ever the optimist, argued that Wang had merely “done less well out of the transaction.” 🤷♂️
When the case finally reached the High Court, Darby made the fateful mistake of not disclosing that he still controlled 100 Bitcoin—worth a staggering £8 million. Cybercrime investigator Richard Sanders, with the sleuthing skills of a modern-day Sherlock, uncovered Darby’s extensive network of digital wallets. Darby’s claim that he had forgotten his wallet passwords didn’t fly with the court. 🗝️
Darby missed a crucial hearing, leading Judge Keyser KC to rule against him. He later attended another hearing, complaining about the difficulty of securing legal representation. The judge, unimpressed, found that Darby had “put his head in the sand” and sentenced him to 18 months, with the possibility of early release if he apologized. 🙏
Crypto breakdown
While in prison, Darby reportedly suffered a breakdown. His daughter, a true hero in this tale, helped him secure legal aid. He ultimately admitted contempt, apologized, and settled with Wang. 🌟
Lord Justice James Dingemans, who reviewed the appeal, acknowledged Darby’s mental health struggles and legal difficulties. He ruled that Darby had complied with court orders and reduced his sentence to time served. 🏛️
Upon his release, Darby likened his experience to the UK’s Post Office scandal, declaring, “The system is broken.” His case serves as a cautionary tale about the legal complexities surrounding cryptocurrency disputes and the importance of full financial disclosure in court. 📜
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2025-02-20 19:26