Rapper Ghetts jailed for killing student in hit-and-run

Rapper Ghetts jailed for killing student in hit-and-run

A grime musician known as Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, has received a 12-year prison sentence after a fatal collision in which he struck and killed a Nepalese student.

Clarke-Samuel, 41, was also barred from driving for a period of 17 years. The incident occurred last October when his BMW struck 20-year-old Yubin Tamang as he crossed Redbridge Lane.

The crash happened at 11:33pm on 18 October, and evidence revealed Clarke-Samuel was driving at 74mph in a 30mph zone. He failed to stop at the scene and continued on for eight miles before returning home.

Impact on the family

“We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair. Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon. He came to the UK 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,”

stated a spokesperson for Mr Tamang’s parents. The victim, who had relocated from Nepal to pursue education, succumbed to his injuries in hospital two days after the incident.

During the trial, Mr Tamang’s mother, Sharmila Tamang, described her anguish in court, expressing the “extreme pain” and “unimaginable sense of loss” of losing her sole child.

Judge’s remarks

Clarke-Samuel, who sat in the dock with his eyes closed, displayed no visible emotion as the judge delivered the sentence. The court heard that he had already been in custody since a preliminary hearing on 27 October.

Judge Mark Lucraft KC emphasized the “quite appalling litany of incidents” captured on CCTV, calling the collision “simply shocking.” Despite acknowledging Clarke-Samuel’s “genuine remorse” and his contributions to the community, the judge noted the “real shame” of his actions.

Defense and evidence

Benjamin Aina KC, representing the defendant, cited a letter Clarke-Samuel wrote, in which he expressed deep regret, shame, and remorse. The letter stated: “I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and remorse… I cannot express the enormous feeling of guilt and shame for the suffering I have caused.”

The prosecution highlighted that Clarke-Samuel had been driving erratically earlier that night, including a collision with a Mercedes and a near-miss with a cyclist. He admitted dangerous driving charges in December, covering incidents in Bloomsbury, Camden, Islington, and Hackney.