10 Photos of Ghetts: Rapper Jailed for 12 Years Over High-Speed Road Tragedy

The British music scene is in shock following the sentencing of one of its most prominent figures. Ghetts, a celebrated rapper and actor, has been handed a 12-year prison term after a devastating road collision in East London. The case has sparked intense public interest as details emerge regarding the tragic death of a young student and the artist's actions following the crash.

The 41-year-old artist, known legally as Justin Clarke-Samuel, has been jailed after admitting to a high-speed collision that killed a 20-year-old student from Nepal. A judge handed down a 12-year prison term following the fatal hit-and-run incident in the northeast of London.

Prison Sentence Confirmed for Award-Winning Musician

This sentencing took place at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, where the rapper faced the consequences of his actions. He entered guilty pleas to charges of causing death by dangerous driving and a further count of dangerous driving.

The fatal encounter unfolded late on 18 October 2025, along Redbridge Lane East in Ilford. Yubin Tamang, a Nepalese student who had moved to Britain to further his education, was hit by Clarke-Samuel's BMW M5 as he attempted to cross the road. The Metropolitan Police report indicates that the impact left Tamang with life-threatening injuries, and he passed away in the hospital 48 hours after the collision.

Prosecution Details a 'Shocking' Series of Events

During the hearing, the court heard that Clarke-Samuel had consumed alcohol prior to the collision, leaving him roughly one-and-a-half times over the legal limit. Prosecutors presented CCTV evidence showing the rapper driving through six red lights and crossing onto the wrong side of the road on multiple occasions. The footage also revealed that he reached speeds of 67 mph in a 30-mph zone just moments before the fatal impact.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC described the captured footage as a 'quite appalling litany of incidents' while labelling the rapper's conduct behind the wheel as 'simply shocking'. The court heard that after the collision, Clarke-Samuel failed to stop or offer any assistance to the victim. Instead, he continued driving for approximately eight miles until he reached his residence in Woodford Green.

A passing Uber driver discovered the victim lying in the road and alerted emergency services. Investigators were able to link the incident to Clarke-Samuel's car after finding a broken wing mirror at the crash site. This piece of debris allowed officers to track the damaged vehicle back to the musician.

Mother's Heartbreak and the Court's Final Order

'My son had come for his studies to the UK, saying the UK had the best degree in the world,' shared Sharmila Tamang, the victim's mother. She explained that he was simply returning home from work when the incident occurred, tragically ending his life. In addition to the 12-year jail sentence, the court handed the rapper a 17-year ban from driving.

'We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair. Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon,' the student's family said in a statement. 'Justin Clarke-Samuel has stolen our son's future and ours with it... we can never forgive him for what he has done.'

Career Milestones and Past Legal History

Known for his collaborations with global stars such as Stormzy, Skepta, and Ed Sheeran, Clarke-Samuel is a celebrated figure in British music and a father of two. His professional achievements include winning Best Male Act at the 2021 MOBO Awards and receiving the MOBO Pioneer Award in 2024. Additionally, his album 'On Purpose, With Purpose' earned him a Mercury Prize nomination in 2024.

However, the court heard that the 41-year-old has a lengthy criminal record, consisting of 12 prior convictions for 27 separate offences. These legal issues date back to his teenage years and include past incidents of robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and various driving-related crimes.