Rapper Ghetts Sentenced to 12 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run of Student

41-year-old British rapper Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following a fatal hit-and-run incident where he struck and killed a Nepalese student.

Rapper Ghetts Fatal Hit-and-Run Incident

In October 2025, while driving in Ilford, northeast London, rapper Ghetts failed to stop his BMW after he struck a 20-year-old Nepalese student, Yubin Tamang.

Tamang, who had come to the UK from Nepal to study, died in the hospital due to his injuries two days following the hit-and-run. The vehicle had thrown Tamang into the air before he crashed to the ground.

During the court proceedings, evidence showed that the rapper was driving his BMW M5 at 74 mph (119 kph) in a 30 mph (48 kph) zone moments before he hit Tamang, who crossed Redbridge Lane at 11:33 p.m. on 18 October. Clarke-Samuel then failed to stop at the scene.

After the crash, Clarke-Samuel continued to drive for eight miles (13 km) before going home. The rapper even had six or seven shots of Ciroc vodka and a 'cannabis cookie'.

Several hours later, Clarke-Samuel was arrested, and his vehicle was found parked near his home. Damage to his BMW was visible, which included a smashed windscreen, extensive marks on the bonnet, damage to the front bumper, and a missing wing mirror cover.

According to the report of Sky News, the rapper told the court he had driven dangerously because he feared someone was following him, but no evidence of a pursuit was found on CCTV.

CCTV footage of the rapper's reckless driving was also released. See the footage here:

Rapper Ghetts Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

In the end, Ghetts was sentenced to 12 years in prison and was also disqualified from driving for 17 years. The rapper pleaded guilty to the charges, and Tamang's camp said they were 'relieved' that he had done so and would be going to prison.

After the sentencing, a spokesperson for Tamang's parents said, 'We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair,' adding, 'Our only child, a precious soul has been taken from us far too soon. He came to the UK to study and create a better life for himself and his family. Justin Clarke-Samuel has stolen our son's future and ours with it'.

'We are relieved that Justin Clarke-Samuel pleaded guilty and that he has now been jailed, but we can never forgive him for what he has done,' they said.

Earlier, Tamang's mother, Sharmila Tamang, broke down in court. She said that she was experiencing 'extreme pain' and an 'unimaginable sense of loss' since losing her only child.

Ghetts Expressed 'Extreme Regret, Shame, and Remorse'

Meanwhile, Clarke-Samuel's defence lawyer, Benjamin Aina KC, read to the court his handwritten letter. He expressed his 'extreme regret, shame, and remorse' for his actions on that night.

His lawyer said that the rapper wanted 'to apologise to the family of Mr Tamang, the community at large, to his own family, and to the court for his actions on that Saturday night of October last year'.

'I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and remorse... I cannot express the enormous feeling of guilt and shame for the suffering I have caused,' he read.

The letter went on: 'I want Mr Tamang's family to know that I am so truly sorry. I offer no excuses, and I have let my family and community down.'