Rapper Ghetts Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison After Fatal Crash in London
British artist Ghetts (real name Justin Clarke-Samuel) has been sentenced to 12 years in prison in connection with a fatal car crash in London that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Nepali student Yubin Tamang. The decision was delivered by the Central Criminal Court Old Bailey on March 3, 2026.
The court found the 41-year-old musician guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. In addition to the prison sentence, he has also been banned from driving for 17 years.
The tragedy occurred on the evening of October 18, 2025, in Ilford in northeast London. According to prosecutors, Clarke-Samuel got behind the wheel of a BMW after drinking alcohol and drove through the city while committing serious traffic violations.
CCTV footage presented in court showed that the musician’s car was traveling at around 60–70 miles per hour (up to 112 km/h) in an area where the speed limit was 30 mph. During the journey, the driver ran at least six red lights, repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road, and collided with other vehicles.
At approximately 11:33 p.m., the car struck Yubin Tamang, who was crossing the road on Redbridge Lane. The student suffered severe injuries and was taken to hospital, where he died two days later. After the collision, the driver did not stop and continued driving for about eight miles without calling emergency services.
Police arrested Clarke-Samuel the following day outside his home in east London. Investigators determined that his blood alcohol level at the time of the crash exceeded the legal limit.
During the hearing, Judge Mark Lucraft described the incident as a “shocking sequence of dangerous actions” captured on surveillance cameras.
The musician had already pleaded guilty in December 2025. In a statement read in court, he expressed remorse and apologized to the victim’s family, saying he understood the consequences of his actions and the pain they had caused to Yubin Tamang’s relatives.
The victim’s family said the young man had come to the United Kingdom to study and build a future. According to his mother, Yubin was the only child in the family.
Before the case, rapper Ghetts was considered one of the notable figures of the British grime scene. Over the years he collaborated with artists such as Ed Sheeran, Stormzy and Skepta, performed at major festivals and received several music awards, including a MOBO Award for Best Male Act.
What began as an ordinary drive through London late at night ultimately turned into a tragedy with lasting consequences for everyone involved. The court case surrounding the fatal crash involving rapper Ghetts once again highlighted that public status and fame do not remove responsibility for decisions made behind the wheel.
