UK Rapper Ghetts Sentenced to 12 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run

UK rapper and actor Ghetts has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing a 20-year-old student in a hit-and-run in October 2025, the BBC reports.

In announcing the ruling, Judge Mark Lucraft KC cited a “quite appalling litany of incidents” that led to the death of Yubin Tamang, a university student from Nepal. The court watched CCTV footage of Ghetts — whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel — driving 60 MPH in a 30 MPH zone. He ran six red lights while veering across the median and up onto the curb, collided with a motorcyclist, and damaged other cars before striking Tamang as he crossed the street. Ghetts then fled the scene in his BMW M5, an act which Judge Lucraft called “”simply shocking.” Tamang died in hospital two days later.

Police discovered a damaged rear-view mirror casing on the scene and traced the serial number to Ghetts’ car. The entertainer was found to have a blood alcohol content 1.5-times the legal limit.

In December, Ghetts pleaded guilty to charges of dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving. He expressed “extreme regret, shame and remorse” over Tamang’s killing. He added, “This may be the only chance that I get to apologize. It was truly an unintentional act on my part and I am so sincerely sorry for the suffering and emotional distress that I have caused.”

Ghetts is also banned from driving for 17 years.

The 41-year-old gained a following as part of the British grime collectives N.A.S.T.Y. Crew and The Movement before embarking on a solo career. He also collaborated with Damon Albarn’s Africa Express and starred in the 2018 film The Intent 2: The Come Up, as well as five episodes of the 2024 series Supacell.