Headlines
UK rapper ghetts jailed for killing nepali student in hit-and-run
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 3, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 3, 2026
Quick Summary
British rapper Ghetts (Justin Clarke‑Samuel) has been jailed for 12 years after pleading guilty to causing the death of Nepali student Yubin Tamang in an October hit‑and‑run while driving dangerously and over the drink‑drive limit.
UK rapper Ghetts jailed for killing Nepali student in hit-and-run
Details of the Incident and Court Proceedings
LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - British rapper Ghetts was jailed for 12 years on Tuesday for killing a Nepali student in a hit-and-run while driving dangerously and over the drink-drive limit.
The Fatal Crash and Charges
The award-winning artist, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, pleaded guilty in December to causing the death of 20-year-old Yubin Tamang in north London last year.
Clarke-Samuel, 41, also admitted an additional charge of driving his BMW M5 dangerously before the fatal incident.
Ghetts' Career and Public Profile
Ghetts was nominated for the 2024 Mercury Prize for his fourth studio album "On Purpose, with Purpose" and won best male act at Britain's MOBO Awards in 2021. The rapper has also collaborated with high-profile artists, including Ed Sheeran.
Court Testimonies and Statements
Prosecution's Account
Clarke-Samuel sat in the dock at London's Old Bailey as prosecutor Philip McGhee said he had been drinking before driving home dangerously, running red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road.
He was driving at nearly 70 miles per hour (112.7 km per hour) when he hit Tamang, causing catastrophic injuries and severe damage to the windscreen, but Clarke-Samuel did not stop and drove eight miles home, McGhee added.
Victim's Family Statement
Mother's Emotional Address
Tamang's mother Sharmila Tamang tearfully read a statement to the court through a translator, which said: "My son had come to this place to study. But because of someone else's fault, he was killed at such a young age."
Defense and Ghetts' Apology
Clarke-Samuel's lawyer Benjamin Aina said Clarke-Samuel had believed he was being followed, having previously been robbed at gunpoint, and was remorseful for his actions.
Letter of Remorse
Aina read out a letter written by Clarke-Samuel, which read: "I am fully aware that there are no number of apologies that I can say which will stop the pain that the family and friends of Mr Tamang must feel.
"This young man and his family are in my thoughts daily. I cannot express the enormous feeling of guilt and shame I feel for the suffering I have caused."
(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Sarah Young, William James and Sharon Singleton)
Key Takeaways
- •Ghetts pleaded guilty in December 2025 to causing death by dangerous driving and additional dangerous driving charges, including driving over the alcohol limit (119 μg/100 ml breath) (independent.co.uk).
- •The crash occurred on 18 October 2025 in Ilford, north‑east London, when he hit 20‑year‑old Nepali student Yubin Tamang who died two days later; he failed to stop at the scene (thestatesman.com).
- •Ghetts is a prominent UK grime artist—Mercury Prize nominee (2024), MOBO Awards Best Male Act (2021), with collaborations including Ed Sheeran—and the sentencing took place at London’s Old Bailey on 3 March 2026 (theguardian.com).
References
- British grime artist Ghetts admits causing death by dangerous driving | The Independent
- Rapper Ghetts faces jail after deadly car crash kills 20-year-old Nepali student Yubin Tamang in the UK - The Statesman
- British rapper Ghetts admits causing death of student by dangerous driving | UK news | The Guardian
Frequently Asked Questions about UK rapper Ghetts jailed for killing Nepali student in hit-and-run
1Who is Ghetts?
Ghetts is a British rapper, real name Justin Clarke-Samuel, known for his work in the UK music industry.
2Why was Ghetts jailed?
Ghetts was jailed for 12 years for causing the death of Nepali student Yubin Tamang in a hit-and-run while driving dangerously and over the drink-drive limit.
3Who was the victim in the hit-and-run?
The victim was 20-year-old Nepali student Yubin Tamang.
4Where did the hit-and-run incident occur?
The incident occurred in north London.
5What charges did Ghetts plead guilty to?
Ghetts pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and to driving dangerously before the fatal incident.