Grime Artist Ghetts Receives 12-Year Prison Sentence for Fatal Hit-and-Run
British rapper Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the death of a student in a hit-and-run incident while speeding and over the legal drink-drive limit. The grime artist admitted to dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving during a televised sentencing at the Old Bailey.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The court heard that on the evening of Saturday, October 18, 2025, Clarke-Samuel had been drinking alcohol at Omi Lounge in central London. He was found to be one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit. CCTV footage revealed a "quite appalling litany of incidents" leading up to the fatal collision, as described by Judge Mark Lucraft KC.
Clarke-Samuel was driving his black BMW at speeds exceeding 70mph in a 30mph zone. He failed to stop at six red traffic lights, repeatedly veered onto the wrong side of the road, mounted the curb, and collided with a motorcyclist and a Mercedes, causing significant damage. At 11:33 pm, he struck 20-year-old Yubin Tamang as the student crossed Redbridge Lane in Ilford, north-east London.
Aftermath and Arrest
Following the collision, Clarke-Samuel failed to stop, made no call to emergency services, and drove approximately eight miles back to his home. Tamang, a Nepalese national who had moved to the UK to study, succumbed to his injuries in hospital two days later. Police officers visited Clarke-Samuel's home in the early hours of the next day, where they detected alcohol on his breath and observed significant damage to his vehicle, leading to his arrest.
Victim Impact Statements
During the sentencing, emotional victim impact statements were presented to the court. Tamang's mother, Sharmila Tamang, wept as she expressed her grief, stating, "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."
In a statement read aloud, Tamang's roommate, Sushant Khadka, highlighted the profound loss, saying, "Yubin was only 20 years old. He had dreams, ambition, plans for his future." He emphasized that the incident had not only ended a life "full of promise" but had also permanently affected the lives of those close to Tamang.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the most senior judge at the Old Bailey, handed down the 12-year prison sentence and disqualified Clarke-Samuel from driving for 17 years. The judge noted the defendant's "genuine remorse" and considered letters of support, including one from his partner, which detailed how he had used his music career to positively impact his community.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee outlined the severity of the offences, citing the excessive speed and alcohol impairment. Clarke-Samuel's defence lawyer argued that his dangerous driving stemmed from a fear of being followed, linked to a previous robbery at gunpoint where the assailants were never caught. However, no evidence of a pursuit was found on CCTV footage.
Background and Previous Convictions
Clarke-Samuel, a father of two, has a criminal history dating back to age 16, with 12 previous convictions for 27 crimes, including robbery, aggravated vehicle taking, and various driving offences. Despite this, he has achieved notable success in the music industry.
Ghetts is a respected rapper and songwriter who has collaborated with high-profile artists such as Skepta, Stormzy, and Ed Sheeran. He has performed multiple times at Glastonbury, most recently in 2024, and received accolades including the best male act at the 2021 Mobo awards and the Mobo pioneer award in 2024.
The case has drawn significant public attention, underscoring the devastating consequences of dangerous driving and the legal repercussions for such actions, even for individuals with prominent public profiles.
