UK Rapper Ghetts Sentenced to 12 Years for Student's Death in Hit-and-Run Incident

Ghetts, a renowned rapper from the UK, has received a 12-year prison sentence from the Old Bailey for the hit-and-run death of a student involved in a tragic incident while he was speeding and over the legal alcohol limit.

The 41-year-old, whose birth name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, struck 20-year-old Yubin Tamang in northeast London on October 18, 2025. Clarke-Samuel did not stop to assist or notify emergency services following the collision, which caused Tamang to sustain severe injuries. He succumbed to his injuries two days later in the hospital.

Clarke-Samuel, a father of two, pleaded guilty to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and dangerous driving.

In an emotional statement in court, Tamang's mother, Sharmila Tamang, expressed her grief, saying: "My son came to study here, but due to someone else's mistake, he lost his life at such a young age. Yubin was our only child."

The court proceedings revealed that Clarke-Samuel was found to be one-and-a- half times the legal limit for alcohol and was exceeding speeds of over 70 mph on his way home in Woodford prior to the fatal crash.

Evidence presented indicated that he had been swerving onto the opposite side of the road and failed to stop at multiple red traffic signals. Furthermore, he had also caused additional damage to other vehicles, including a motorcycle and a Mercedes.

At approximately 11:33 PM, Clarke-Samuel collided with Tamang as he crossed Redbridge Lane in Ilford, reaching speeds of 67 mph in a 30 mph zone at the time of impact.

The rapper returned home over 15 minutes after the accident and was subsequently arrested by police the following day. Upon their arrival, officers detected the scent of alcohol on his breath and noticed damage to his vehicle, including a shattered windscreen and a ruined front bumper.

During the sentencing, Judge Mark Lucraft banned Clarke-Samuel from driving for 17 years, citing CCTV footage that illustrated a continuous pattern of reckless driving leading up to the fatal incident, which he termed "truly appalling".

Prosecutor Philip McGhee described the moment of the collision, stating: "Mr. Tamang was still crossing the road and could do nothing to avoid being struck. The defendant’s BMW violently collided with him, propelling him into the air before he fell onto the road. He suffered catastrophic injuries."

It was mentioned in court that the rapper had been driving dangerously, mistakenly believing that he was being followed, although this claim was not supported by any CCTV evidence.

Clarke-Samuel, recognized for his achievements, including winning the best male act at the 2021 Mobo Awards and receiving the Mobo Pioneer Award in 2024, had collaborated with well-known artists like Skepta, Stormzy, and Ed Sheeran. He has also performed at Glastonbury multiple times, including in 2024.

In his defense, excerpts from a letter Clarke-Samuel wrote to Tamang’s family were presented, wherein he expressed deep regret and sorrow: "I write from a place of extreme regret, shame, and remorse. I understand that no words can ease the pain that Mr. Tamang's family is experiencing."

He further stated: "This might be my only opportunity to apologize. It was not intentional, and I am truly sorry for all the suffering and emotional strain that I have caused."

Clarke-Samuel has a history of 12 prior convictions for 27 offenses dating back to when he was 16, which include robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and traffic violations.