British Rapper Gets 12 Years in Prison for Fatal Hit-and-Run in London

Award-winning British rapper Justin Clarke-Samuel, known as Ghetts, received a 12-year prison sentence for a deadly hit-and-run crash in London. The incident killed 20-year-old Nepali student Yubin Tamang after Clarke-Samuel drove drunk and recklessly through the city.

A prominent British rapper has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars for a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a young Nepali student in London last year.

Justin Clarke-Samuel, who performs under the stage name Ghetts, was driving while intoxicated and at excessive speeds when the deadly incident occurred in October 2025, court officials revealed.

The 41-year-old musician also received a 17-year driving ban on Tuesday from Judge Mark Lucraft, who described surveillance video evidence as showing “a quite appalling litany of incidents” that led to a “simply shocking” fatal crash with student Yubin Tamang. The 20-year-old victim sustained severe injuries and passed away two days following the collision.

In December, Clarke-Samuel entered a guilty plea at London’s Central Criminal Court to charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

Judge Lucraft acknowledged that the rapper had shown regret through a written statement to the court.

“As you set out, you have done much to help others over the last 10 years and all that good work is marred by driving in drink and taking the life of another young man,” the judge said.

Court testimony revealed that Clarke-Samuel had consumed alcohol at a central London establishment before operating his BMW in a reckless manner at approximately 70 mph. His dangerous driving included ignoring six traffic signals and traveling in oncoming traffic lanes. Tamang was hit while attempting to cross the street and suffered life-threatening injuries.

“Mr. Tamang was still crossing the road. He could do nothing to avoid a collision. Mr. Tamang was catapulted into the air before crashing down on the roadway,” prosecutor Philip McGhee said. He noted that Clarke-Samuel failed to remain at the scene or contact emergency responders, instead traveling eight miles to his residence.

The victim’s parents, Sharmila and Bikash Tamang, expressed their devastation in a court statement, saying their hearts were “broken beyond repair.”

“Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon,” they said. “He came to the U.K. 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.”

Defense attorney Ben Aina shared portions of Clarke-Samuel’s written apology to the Tamang family.

“I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and remorse,” the rapper wrote. “I am fully aware that there are no number of apologies that I can say which will soothe the pain that the family and friends of Mr Tamang must feel.”

Clarke-Samuel received recognition as best male act at Britain’s MOBO awards in 2021 and has worked with notable musicians including Ed Sheeran and Stormzy.