Ghetts Jailed 12 Years: Rapper Admits to Deadly Hit-and-Run
London, UK – – British rapper Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the death of a student in a hit-and-run incident. The grime artist pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving after striking 20-year-old Yubin Tamang in northeast London on .
The sentencing, delivered by the Old Bailey’s most senior judge, Mark Lucraft KC, follows a case marked by harrowing details of reckless driving and a tragic loss of life. CCTV footage, described by the judge as a “quite appalling litany of incidents,” revealed Clarke-Samuel was speeding and driving erratically prior to the collision. He was traveling at over 70mph before hitting Tamang, who was crossing Redbridge Lane in Ilford at .
Tamang, a Nepalese national who had come to the UK to pursue his studies, died in hospital two days after the incident. His mother, Sharmila Tamang, delivered a deeply moving statement to the court, expressing the profound grief of losing her only child. “My son had come for studies to this place but, because of somebody’s mistakes, he has died at a very small age,” she said. “Yubin was our only child. My son had come for his studies to the UK saying the UK had the best degree in the world. But on his way back from his work this happened and he lost his life.”
Sushant Khadka, Tamang’s roommate, also shared a statement, emphasizing the unrealized potential of the young student’s life. “Yubin was only 20 years old. He had dreams, ambition, plans for his future,” Khadka said. He added that the tragedy had not only resulted in the loss of a promising life but had also deeply impacted those around him.
The court heard that Clarke-Samuel was one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit at the time of the crash, having been drinking at Omi Lounge in central London earlier that evening. He failed to stop at six red traffic lights and repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road, even colliding with a motorcyclist and a Mercedes before hitting Tamang. After the fatal impact, Clarke-Samuel drove the eight miles back to his home and did not call emergency services.
Police arrested Clarke-Samuel at his home in the early hours of , finding his black BMW significantly damaged. He initially claimed he had been driving dangerously because he feared he was being followed, but CCTV footage revealed no evidence to support this claim. The court was told this fear stemmed from a previous armed robbery, where the perpetrators were never apprehended.
Despite his criminal history – 12 previous convictions for 27 crimes, including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and driving offenses – the judge acknowledged Clarke-Samuel’s “genuine remorse” and the numerous letters of support submitted on his behalf. These letters highlighted his positive contributions to the community through his music career.
Ghetts, a prominent figure in the UK grime scene, has achieved significant success as a rapper and songwriter, collaborating with artists such as Skepta, Stormzy, and Ed Sheeran. He has performed multiple times at Glastonbury, most recently in , and received accolades including the best male act at the 2021 Mobo awards and the Mobo pioneer award in .
The 12-year prison sentence also includes a 17-year driving ban. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the importance of responsible behavior on the roads. The impact of this tragedy extends beyond the immediate family and friends of Yubin Tamang, resonating within the UK’s vibrant music community and prompting reflection on the responsibilities that come with public profile.