Rap star Ghetts jailed for fatal hit-and-run which killed university student in north-east London

Justin Clarke-Samuel failed to stop after his BMW hit university student. Credit: Metropolitan Police

Award-winning rapper Ghetts has been jailed for 12 years for killing a student in a hit and run while speeding and over the drink-drive limit.

The grime artist, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, failed to stop after his BMW hit Nepalese national Yubin Tamang, 20, in north-east London.

The 41-year-old defendant admitted causing death by dangerous driving and dangerous driving.

In a televised sentencing at the Old Bailey, Judge Mark Lucraft KC handed him 12 years in prison and disqualified him from driving for 17 years.

He told Clarke-Samuel that CCTV footage showed a “quite appalling litany of incidents” leading up to the fatal collision which was “simply shocking”.

The judge noted the father-of-two’s “genuine remorse” and letters of support including from his partner setting out how he had used his career in music to make a positive impact on his community.

Prosecutor Philip McGhee said Clarke-Samuel had been drinking alcohol at Omi Lounge in Wells Street in central London on the evening of Saturday October 18 2025.

He was said to be one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit and was driving at speeds of more than 70mph before the crash.

As he drove his BMW M5 at speed back towards his home in Woodford, east London, he failed to stop at six red traffic lights, the court was told.

He repeatedly veered on to the wrong side of the road, mounted the curb and collided with a motorcyclist and a Mercedes, causing damage.

He was going 67mph in a 30mph zone before he hit Mr Tamang as he crossed Redbridge Lane, Ilford, at 11.33pm.

Mr McGhee said: “Mr Tamang was still crossing the road. He could do nothing to avoid a collision. The defendant’s BMW ploughed into him. Mr Tamang was catapulted into the air before crashing down on the roadway. He sustained catastrophic injuries.”

The defendant failed to stop and drove eight miles home, arriving over 15 minutes later.

The defendant made no call to emergency services and Mr Tamang died in hospital from his injuries two days later.

The court was shown a compilation of CCTV of Clarke-Samuel’s erratic driving including graphic footage of the moment he hit Mr Tamang.

Police went to Clarke-Samuel’s home in Woodford in the early hours of the next day and smelled alcohol on his breath before arresting him.

Officers found his black BMW was significantly damaged with a smashed windscreen and damage to the front bumper.

The court was told the defendant had claimed he had driven dangerously because he feared someone was following him but no evidence of a pursuit was found on CCTV.

The defendant had 12 previous convictions for 27 crimes from the age of 16 including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking and driving offences.

Weeping in court, Mr Tamang’s mother Sharmila Tamang said: “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.

“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.”

Mr Tamang’s roommate Sushant Khadka said in a statement read to the court: “Yubin was only 20 years old. He had dreams, ambition, plans for his future.”

He said the incident had not only led to the loss of a life “full of promise”, it had also permanently affected the lives of others.

In mitigation, Ben Aina KC read out extracts of a letter Clarke-Samuel had written apologising to Mr Tamang’s family.

The rapper stated: “I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and remorse. I am fully aware that there are no number of apologies that I can say which will soothe the pain that the family and friends of Mr Tamang must feel.

“This may be the only chance that I get to apologise. It was truly an unintentional act on my part and I am so sincerely sorry for the suffering and emotional distress that I have caused.

“I fully understand that I must face consequences for my actions and I accept that I must now be punished. I hope through the process of punishment and rehabilitation I can still add some contribution to my community”

Explaining the root of the defendant’s fears, Mr Aina said that in 2017, Clarke-Samuel had been robbed at gunpoint at a studio and although it had been reported to police, the assailants were never caught.

The rapper was provided with a driver while working and usually took taxis when going out, Mr Aina added, saying: “Sadly that was not the case on October 18.”

Ghetts is a rapper and songwriter who has collaborated on tracks with Skepta, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran, and performed at Glastonbury several times including in 2024.

He won best male act at the 2021 Mobo Awards and received the Mobo pioneer award in 2024.

Shani Taggart, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Justin Clarke-Samuel knew he was in no fit state to drive and there was clear evidence of his excessive speed and disregard for road users as he drove incredibly dangerously across our city.

“After presenting this evidence, we secured guilty pleas to these two charges and today’s sentence will see Clarke-Samuel face the consequences of his fatal decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.”

Detective Sergeant Faye Cook, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with Yubin’s loved ones, especially his parents, Sharmila and Bikash, who have shown remarkable courage throughout this investigation.

“Their strength has inspired everyone involved in the case.

“We hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of comfort to Yubin’s family, while also serving as a reminder to the public of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving.”