Ghetts was doing 74mph when he killed pedestrian in horror smash

Rapper and Netflix star Ghetts raced through streets at up to 74mph in his £100,000 BMW before he killed a pedestrian in a horrific hit-and-run smash, a court heard.

Ghetts, who appears in the streaming series Supacell, drove on pavements and went through at least seven red lights before he ploughed into Nepalese student Yubin Tamang, 20, in Ilford, east London.

The 41-year-old, who was driving a black BMW M5, failed to stop after the collision which sent his victim flying 60 feet into the air last October 18.

Mr Tamang died in hospital two days after the crash.

Ghetts, real name Justin Clarke-Samuel, faces the maximum of life imprisonment after he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

He also admitted dangerous driving on 30mph roads in the boroughs of Islington, Camden and Hackney in the lead up to the crash.

Ghetts accepts he had drunk three Hennessy and Cokes some two hours earlier and that he may have been over the drink driving limit.

Members of Mr Tamang’s family were in court today having travelled from Nepal.

Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, the Recorder of London, will sentence Ghetts, who appeared in the dock wearing a long black coat and jumper, later.

Ghetts claims his driving was caused by a fear someone was pursuing him, even his defence barrister Benjamin Aina, KC, accepted there was no evidence to support his belief.

He has 13 previous convictions for 27 offences beginning with aggravated vehicle taking and burglary in 2001 and 2002.

Ghetts has convictions for theft, robbery, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and has breached suspended sentences.

His last conviction was for driving whilst disqualified in 2010.

Prosecutor Philip McGhee said that CCTV shows no evidence Ghetts was being followed at any stage of his journey.’

He said the rapper could not have believed he was being pursued by the time of the fatal crash.

Ghetts said he had been at Omi Lounge restaurant in Wells Street, central London, before the incident where he ate a meal and drank three brandy and cokes

Mr McGhee said: ‘During the early evening on Saturday 18 October 2025, the defendant drove his black BMW M5 car into central London, from the area of his home address in Woodford to Bloomsbury where he arrived around 8.30pm.

‘The defendant’s BMW M5 car was next seen around two and a half hours later.

‘CCTV captured the defendant overtaking a motorcycle on Goodge Street.

‘Mr Nicola Sgarra states that he was driving his motorcycle when the defendant’s car passed him and, as it did so, the car brushed his leg, causing him to stop and put his foot to the ground.

‘The defendant did not stop but, instead, drove on. Mr Sgarra followed him. Mr Sgarra saw the defendant drive through the red light.

‘Mr Sgarra followed. He saw the defendant drive through two further red lights.

‘Mr Sgarra then saw the defendant turn left into Gower Street and right into Torrington Place, again driving through a red traffic light.

‘The defendant continued along Byng Place into Gordon Square, driving through yet another red light as he drove into Tavistock Square, where there was slow and stationary traffic.

‘Mr Sgarra saw the defendant drive onto the pavement outside the Tavistock Hotel, in order to pass a line of stationary vehicles waiting at a red traffic light.

‘CCTV from the Tavistock Hotel shows the defendant drive, in fact, in a cycle-only lane to the right of the traffic lane, mounting a kerb as he does so, in order to pass the short line of stationary vehicles at the junction.

‘The defendant then drove through another red traffic light and collided with a Mercedes car, which was being driven as a taxi with a passenger.

‘Following the collision, the defendant continued his journey out of central London and back towards his home address in Woodford.’

The car continued to drive at speed, on the wrong side of a road, around cars and passed four cyclists causing one of them to swerve to avoid a collision.

‘At the time of the incident it was dark, but the road was well lit by streetlights on both sides which were in working order. The conditions were dry,’ the prosecutor said.

‘Mr Yubin Tamang was a university student. He was from Nepal. He lived with friends in nearby Bergholt Avenue.

‘Around 11.30pm, Mr Tamang was walking east along the southern pavement of Redbridge Lane East. He looked to check the road was clear and then began to cross towards the north side.

‘The defendant had left the roundabout and accelerated to a speed significantly in excess of the applicable speed limit.

‘Mr Tamang was still crossing the road. He could do nothing to avoid a collision. The defendant’s BMW ploughed into him.

‘Mr Tamang was catapulted into the air before crashing down on the roadway. He sustained catastrophic injuries.

‘In footage from residential CCTV cameras the roar of the engine of the defendant’s car can clearly be heard as it approaches Mr Tamang in the road, at speed, before hitting him.

‘After the impact, the car’s rear brake lights can be seen, briefly, but then the car drives on and leaves the scene without stopping.’

Ghetts’ average speed on that stretch of road was calculated at 60mph.

Mr McGhee said: ’In the five seconds before the event was triggered, the BMW M5 increased its speed from 36 mph to reach a peak speed of 74 mph around 0.5 seconds before the event.

‘Maximum acceleration was applied at 1.5 seconds and 2 seconds before the event.

‘On this basis, at the time of the fatal collision the defendant was driving at more than double the permitted maximum speed on Redbridge Lane East of 30 mph.’

Video footage showed Mr Tamag briefly try to run before the crash which caused Mr Tamang and debris to disperse as they flew into into the air.

Ghetts is an award-winning rapper and songwriter who has featured on songs alongside Skepta, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran, racking up millions of hits on Spotify.

He started his career as a member of East London British grime group Nasty Crew.

In 2008, he was nominated for a BET Award for Best International Act: UK along with Chipmunk, Giggs, and Skepta.

In 2021 he won the Best Male Act at the Mobo Awards and received the Mobo Pioneer Award in 2024 for his significant contribution to British black culture.

The rapper has also been nominated for a Mercury Prize.

In 2024 he performed at Glastonbury having previously sang at the festival in 2022 and 2008 on the BBC Introducing stage. That same year, he starred in the critically-acclaimed Netflix series Supacell.

Ghetts starred in the first ever episode of Amelia Dimoldenberg’s YouTube comedy series Chicken Shop Date and appeared again for the tenth anniversary last year.

Clarke-Samuel, of Kings Avenue, Woodford Green, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr McGhee said: ‘As a result of the collision, the defendant’s car sustained very serious and obvious damage to the windscreen on the driver’s side.

‘The extent of the damage was sufficient to cause a fundamental loss of forward vision through the windscreen of the road ahead. The car was not fit to be driven safely.

‘A photograph taken later by police from the driver’s seat of the car illustrates the damage and the impact it had.

‘The defendant nonetheless continued to drive his car for over a quarter of an hour after the collision.

‘He parked in Worcester Crescent, a short distance from his home on King’s Avenue.

‘No call was made by the defendant to the police or other emergency services.

‘Shortly after the collision, an Uber driver, Tariq Javed, came across Mr Tamang, initially thinking he was just a bundle of clothes in the road.

‘Mr Javed pulled over and got out and realised that Mr Tamang was seriously injured. He called 999.’

Mr Tamang was taken to hospital and friends attended.

Police arrived at Ghetts’ home at 4.23am on 19 October and he was arrested.

Police smelt intoxicating liquor on his breath, the court heard.

A blood sample showed he had also used cannabis.

Ghetts gave no comment in police interview.

Mr Tamang had sustained multiple fractures, organ damage and damage to the brain.

He was admitted to intensive care where he remained unresponsive until his death at 1.04pm on 20 October.

Ghetts has 12 convictions for 27 offences.

In 1999 and 2000 he received cautions for shoplifting, robbery and aggravated vehicle taking.

In 2000 he was convicted for robbery and in 2001 for attempted robbery.

Also in 2000 he was convicted after stealing a vehicle and driving it dangerously causing a road traffic incident and running away from the scene. He did not have a license or insurance.

A month later he stole a vehicle and crashed it into a lamppost, again running away from the scene.

The next month he again took a vehicle without consent.

In 2002 he was convicted for non-dwelling burglary and for stealing a vehicle and driving it dangerously.

In 2003, 2005 and 2010 he drove while disqualified without insurance.

In 2014 he received a caution for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Tamang’s mother Sharmila Tamang wept as she read her victim impact statement in court.

She read her statement in Nepalese and it was translated in court by an interpreter.

She 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.

‘He was the only child of his parents. In my country, there is no provision for social services and old people’s homes for the elderly. The only support we had for our old age is now gone forever.

‘His father had to go to the Gulf States to earn a living for sixteen years to support us, which meant he had to stay away from his own family for a long time. This was for his son’s better future and to support his family.

‘This incident has not only taken our son away, but it has left us in a state of unrest.

‘We feel extreme pain and an unimaginable sense of loss. What we have felt is something that we have to endure. My son had dreamed of further education and had come to the UK.

‘He wanted to gain a degree from here because it is well recognised in the world.

‘Unfortunately, this tragic event happened near our home while he was returning home from work.’

Mr Tamang’s university roommate Sushant Khadka said that Mr Tamang was his roommate, classmate and close friend.

In a statement read by Mr McGhee, he said: ’We lived together, shared our daily routines and were like family.

‘Since his death my life has changed completely.’

He said he was struggling at university and struggling to sleep.

‘Yubin was only 20-years-old, he had dreams, ambitions and plans for his future.

‘His loss has not only taken a life full of promise, it has permanently effected my and my family’s lives.’

Jailing Rapper and Netflix star Ghetts for 12 years Judge Lucraft said he could not accept his story that he believed he was being followed.

The judge told him: ‘You were driving at speeds significantly in excess of the speed limit. Yubin was catapulted into the air and sustained catastrophic injuries.

‘On the audio noise of the engine of your car can clearly be heard. The footage of the impact shown in this court is simply shocking.

‘The images of the state of your car showed it was not in a state to be driven safely but nonetheless you continued. There was no call to emergency services.

‘The journey into central London took an hour, the journey home took half that time.

‘At the point of impact you were driving at more than double the speed limit.

‘While you left the scene other divers stopped and sought to administer first aid. They called 999 and gave him CPR.

‘It was clear he had extensive catastrophic injuries.

‘No sentence the court can pass can ever replace a life lost. The life of a young man mourned by those who knew and loved him and with so much ahead of him.

‘The was a prolonged, persistent and deliberate course of dangerous driving. Your driving was impaired by the use of alcohol.

‘The footage shows a quite appalling litany of dangerous driving leading up to the incident that caused the death.

‘You failed to stop at the scene of a fatal crash.

‘I have no doubt the regret and remorse you have now expressed is entirely genuine. There are moving letters from the many who knew you and the many good things you have done.

‘Your music gained you a following and significant financial reward. I acknowledge you have used the music and the gift it has given you to good effect and have supported many others.

‘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.’

Ghetts sat with his eyes closed in the dock as the judge spoke, before leaving the dock holding his hands behind his back.

In his basis of plea Ghetts said he had six to seven shots of Vodka and a cannabis cookie after he got home following the incident.

He will be banned from driving for nine years after his release and then must take an extended driving test.

Detective Sergeant Faye Cook, who led the Met’s investigation, said: ‘Our thoughts remain with Yubin’s loved ones, especially his parents, Sharmila and Bikash, who have shown remarkable courage throughout this investigation. Their strength has inspired everyone involved in the case.

‘I would like to thank the dedicated Met officers and staff who have worked tirelessly – their
professionalism and determination have been unwavering.

‘We hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of comfort to Yubin’s family, while also serving as a reminder to the public of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving.’

Speaking after the sentencing, Yubin Tamang’s family said: ‘Firstly, we would like to thank our close family, relatives and friends who have provided much-needed help, advice, and guidance during this, the most tragic time of our lives.

‘Secondly, we extend our immense gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the London Metropolitan Police detectives and forensics team for their exceptional dedication and thorough investigation, and the Crown Prosecution Service for recognising the seriousness of this case and raising the charges.

‘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.

‘We are relieved that Justin Clarke-Samuel pleaded guilty and that he has now been jailed, but we can never forgive him for what he has done.’

Shani Taggart, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘Justin Clarke-Samuel knew he was in no fit state to drive and there was clear evidence of his excessive speed and disregard for road users as he drove incredibly dangerously across our city.

‘We built a comprehensive case against Clarke-Samuel, focusing on CCTV footage, toxicology, and analysis of his mobile data to pinpoint his route through London.

‘After presenting this evidence, we secured guilty pleas to these two charges and today’s sentence will see Clarke-Samuel face the consequences of his fatal decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking.

‘Our thoughts remain with Yubin Tamang’s family today as they grieve the loss of their only child, and with his loved ones who have to navigate a life without him.’