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Award-winning British rapper and actor Ghetts, real name Justin Clarke-Samuel, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following a harrowing fatal hit-and-run incident in East London. The sentencing took place at the Old Bailey, marking a tragic end to a case that has shocked both the UK music industry and the international community.
The 41-year-old artist, who recently gained global acclaim for his role as Andre in the hit Netflix series Supacell, pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and a separate count of dangerous driving. The court heard that on the night of October 18, 2025, Clarke-Samuel was driving his black BMW M5 while approximately one-and-a- half times over the legal drink-drive limit.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee described a “quite appalling litany of incidents” captured on CCTV leading up to the crash. Clarke-Samuel was seen speeding at up to 74 mph in a 30 mph zone, running six red lights, and driving on the wrong side of the road. At approximately 11:33 p.m. in Ilford, he struck 20-year-old Nepalese university student Yubin Tamang as he crossed the street. Tamang was “catapulted into the air” by the force of the impact and suffered catastrophic injuries, passing away in the hospital two days later.
Following the collision, Clarke-Samuel did not stop or call emergency services. Instead, he drove an additional eight miles to his home in Woodford. Police arrested him the following day after tracing his vehicle, which had sustained significant damage. During the trial, his defense stated that the rapper’s reckless behavior was partially fueled by a “fear of being followed,” stemming from a previous traumatic experience where he was robbed at gunpoint.
Judge Mark Lucraft KC, in a televised sentencing, told the rapper, “You knew you were in no fit state to drive… your actions have taken the life of a promising young man.” In addition to his 12-year custodial sentence, Clarke-Samuel has been disqualified from driving for 17 years.
In a statement read by his lawyer, Ghetts expressed “extreme regret, shame, and remorse” for his actions, apologizing directly to Tamang’s parents. Yubin’s family, who had moved to the UK from Nepal for his education, described their hearts as “broken beyond repair,” mourning the loss of their only child.