Rapper Ghetts sentenced to 12 years for hit-and-run that killed Nepali student

British rapper Ghetts has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing a 20-year-old Nepali student in a London hit-and-run incident last year, marking a dramatic fall from grace for the award-winning artist.

The 41-year-old musician, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, was sentenced Tuesday at London’s Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty in December to causing death by dangerous driving. In addition to his prison term, Clarke-Samuel has been barred from driving for 17 years.

Judge Mark Lucraft delivered the sentence after reviewing evidence that showed Clarke-Samuel had been drinking alcohol at a central London bar before driving his BMW at speeds of approximately 70 mph (112 kph) through the city streets. The court heard how the rapper exhibited “a quite appalling litany of incidents” leading up to the collision, including running six red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road.

The victim, Yubin Tamang, was crossing a street in October 2025 when he was struck by Clarke-Samuel’s vehicle. According to prosecutor Philip McGhee, Tamang “was catapulted into the air before crashing down on the roadway.” He suffered catastrophic injuries and died two days later in hospital.

“Mr. Tamang was still crossing the road. He could do nothing to avoid a collision,” McGhee told the court. Following the impact, Clarke-Samuel did not stop to render assistance or call emergency services. Instead, he drove approximately eight miles to his home, leaving the severely injured student at the scene.

The tragedy has devastated Tamang’s family, who had sent their son to the United Kingdom to pursue his education and build a better future. In a heartbreaking statement read to the court, Tamang’s parents, Sharmila and Bikash Tamang, expressed their profound grief.

“Our hearts are broken beyond repair,” they said. “Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon. 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.”

Nepal’s small community in London has been shaken by the incident, which highlights the dangers of drunk driving in the capital. Road safety advocates have pointed to the case as another tragic example of preventable traffic fatalities in urban areas.

Clarke-Samuel’s defense attorney, Ben Aina, read excerpts from a letter of apology the rapper had written to Tamang’s family, in which he expressed “extreme regret, shame and remorse” for his actions. “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 wrote.

The judge acknowledged Clarke-Samuel’s remorse and his positive contributions to society over the past decade, stating, “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.”

Prior to this incident, Ghetts had established himself as a respected figure in the UK grime and rap scene. He won best male act at Britain’s MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards in 2021 and has collaborated with major artists including Ed Sheeran and Stormzy. His critically acclaimed album “Conflict of Interest” reached number two on the UK charts in 2021.

The sentencing represents a stunning downfall for the artist who had risen from London’s underground grime scene to mainstream success. The UK music industry has largely remained silent on the case, with former collaborators and record labels yet to issue statements regarding the sentencing.

Road safety campaigners hope this high-profile case will bring renewed attention to the consequences of dangerous driving, particularly in urban centers where pedestrians are most vulnerable.