Award-winning UK rapper Ghetts has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after killing a university student in a hit-and-run crash while driving over the alcohol limit.
The 41-year-old artist, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, was convicted at the Old Bailey for causing the death of 20-year-old student Yubin Tamang in north-east London.
The court heard that Clarke-Samuel was driving his BMW through Ilford on October 18, 2025, when he struck Tamang as the student crossed Redbridge Lane. Tamang suffered catastrophic injuries in the collision and died in hospital two days later.
Clarke-Samuel admitted to causing death by dangerous driving. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that he had been driving at speeds exceeding 70mph before the crash and was around one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit.
Prosecutors told the court that his reckless driving included veering onto the wrong side of the road and running six red traffic lights. Before hitting Tamang, he had also collided with a motorcycle and a Mercedes vehicle.
At approximately 11:33pm, Clarke-Samuel struck Tamang while travelling at 67mph in a 30mph zone. Instead of stopping to help the victim or calling emergency services, he drove away from the scene and returned to his home in Woodford, arriving more than 15 minutes later.
Police arrested him the following day after officers noticed damage to his BMW, including a smashed windscreen and a damaged front bumper. Officers also reported smelling alcohol on his breath.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Mark Lucraft described the events leading up to the fatal collision as “a quite appalling litany of incidents,” adding that Clarke-Samuel’s driving was “simply shocking.” In addition to the prison sentence, the court disqualified him from driving for 17 years.
Tamang’s mother, Sharmila Tamang, gave an emotional statement in court, saying her son had travelled abroad to study but lost his life because of someone else’s actions.
“My son had come for studies to this place, but because of somebody’s mistakes, he has died at a very small age. Yubin was our only child,” she said.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee told the court that Tamang had no chance to avoid the collision.
“Mr Tamang was still crossing the road. He could do nothing to avoid a collision. The defendant’s BMW ploughed into him,” he said.
Clarke-Samuel claimed he had been driving recklessly because he believed someone was following him, though investigators found no evidence to support this claim on CCTV footage.
The rapper, who previously won Best Male Act at the MOBO Awards in 2021 and received the MOBO Pioneer Award in 2024, had collaborated with artists including Skepta, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran. He had also performed multiple times at the Glastonbury Festival.
In a letter read out in court, Clarke-Samuel apologised to Tamang’s family, expressing deep regret for the tragedy.
“I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and remorse. I know there are no number of apologies that can ease the pain felt by Mr Tamang’s family and friends,” he wrote.
Court records also revealed that Clarke-Samuel has 12 previous convictions for 27 offences dating back to the age of 16, including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking and driving offences.