British rapper and actor Ghetts has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in a fatal hit-and-run crash in northeast London that claimed the life of a university student, according to court officials and media reports.
Justin Clarke-Samuel, the 41-year-old artist known professionally as Ghetts and for his role in the Netflix series Supacell, was handed the sentence Tuesday at the Old Bailey after pleading guilty in December to causing death by dangerous driving and an additional count of dangerous driving.
The sentencing follows a late-night collision on October 18, 2025, in Ilford, northeast London, when Clarke-Samuel’s vehicle struck 20-year-old Yubin Tamang, a Nepalese student who had come to the UK to study. Tamang suffered catastrophic injuries and died in hospital two days later.
Prosecutors told the court that Ghetts, who had consumed alcohol earlier that evening and was over the legal drink-drive limit, was driving well above the 30 mph limit — at speeds of up to 70 mph — when the crash occurred. CCTV evidence presented in court showed him running multiple red lights, veering into oncoming traffic and failing to stop after the collision.
In addition to the prison term, Judge Mark Lucraft KC disqualified Clarke-Samuel from driving for 17 years. The judge described the defendant’s conduct on the night of the crash as a “quite appalling litany of incidents” and ruled that a custodial sentence was the only appropriate punishment.
During the hearing, letters of support highlighting his musical achievements and community work were noted, but the judge emphasized the grave seriousness of the offense. Ghetts expressed remorse in a letter read to the court, acknowledging the profound suffering inflicted on Tamang’s family, while his defence counsel referenced personal trauma and fears that had contributed to his state of mind that night.
Tamang’s family, present in court and through statements, conveyed deep grief over the loss of their only child. “We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair,” they said, reflecting on his promising future cut short.
The case has drawn widespread attention given Ghetts’ stature in the British grime scene — including collaborations with artists such as Skepta, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran — and his crossover into acting. His legal team confirmed he will serve a substantial portion of the sentence before being eligible for release on licence under UK sentencing rules.
