Rapper Ghetts jailed for 12 years after killing student in hit-and-run
Award-winning rapper Ghetts was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the Old Bailey for hit and run with a student while speeding and being over the drink drive limit.
The 41-year-old man, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, hit 20-year-old Yubin Tamang with his BMW while driving in north-east London on October 18.
Clarke-Samuel failed to stop his vehicle and did not call emergency services. Mr Tamang was left with “catastrophic injuries” and died in hospital two days later.
The father-of-two admitted causing death by dangerous driving and dangerous driving.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee said: “Mr Tamang was still crossing the road. He could do nothing to avoid a collision. He was struck by the defendant’s BMW.”
“Mr Tamang was thrown into the air before falling onto the road. He suffered catastrophic injuries.”
The court heard that Clarke-Samuel was one-and-a-half times over the legal drink-drive limit and had been driving home to Woodford at more than 70mph before the crash.
He had repeatedly turned onto the wrong side of the road and failed to stop at traffic lights at six red traffic lights.
The court was told he also caused damage when he crashed into a motorcycle and a Mercedes.
At 11.33pm, Clarke-Samuel struck Mr Tamang while traveling at 67mph in a 30mph zone as he crossed Redbridge Lane in Ilford.
In a televised sentencing at the Old Bailey, Judge Mark Lucraft KC banned the rapper from driving for 17 years. He told Clarke-Samuel that CCTV footage showed a “pretty horrifying series of events” leading up to the fatal collision, which was “simply shocking”.
In mitigation, Ben Aina KC read parts of the letter from Clarke-Samuel apologizing to Mr Tamang’s family.
The rapper said: “I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and regret. I am fully aware that there are not many apologies I can say that will ease the pain that Mr. Tamang’s family and friends must feel.”
“This may be my only chance to apologize. This was truly unintentional action on my part and I am sincerely sorry for the pain and emotional distress I have caused.
“I fully understand that I must face the consequences of my actions, and I now accept that I must be punished. I hope that through the process of punishment and rehabilitation I can still make some contribution to my society.”
The rapper won the best actor award at the 2021 Mobo Awards and received the Mobo pioneer award in 2024. Skepta has collaborated with Stormzy and Ed Sheeran and performed at Glastonbury several times, including in 2024.
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