British rapper Gets sentenced to 12 years for hit-and-run killing of student

London — British rapper Ghets has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing a 20-year-old Nepali student in a London hit-and-run last year.

According to prosecutors, Justin Clark-Samuel, whose real name is Ghets, was speeding under the influence of alcohol while driving erratically before the October 2025 incident.

Clarke-Samuel, 41, was banned from driving for 17 years by Judge Mark Lucroft on Tuesday after CCTV footage showed “quite horrific events” leading up to the “simply shocking” fatal collision with student Yubin Tamang, who suffered catastrophic injuries and died two days later.

Clarke-Samuel pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at London’s Central Criminal Court in December.

The judge noted that the rapper expressed remorse in a letter to the court.

“As you set out, you have done a lot to help others over the past 10 years and all that good work has been ruined by drinking and taking the life of another young man,” the judge said.

Clarke-Samuel had been drinking at a bar in central London and drove his BMW erratically at speeds of around 70 mph (112 kilometers per hour), running six red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road before crashing. The victim was struck while crossing the road, sustaining catastrophic injuries.

“Mr Tamang was still crossing the road. There was nothing he could have done to avoid the collision. Mr Tamang was airborne before crashing into the roadway,” said prosecutor Philip McGhee. They said Clark-Samuel did not stop or call emergency services, but instead drove eight miles home.

In a statement, Tamang’s parents, Sharmila and Bikash, said Tamang’s hearts were “broken beyond repair”.

“Our only child, a precious soul was taken from us too soon,” he said. “He came to the UK to study and create a better life for himself and his family. Justin Clarke-Samuel stole our son’s future and our future.”

Clark-Samuel’s lawyer, Ben Aina, read excerpts from Tamang’s letter of apology to her family.

“I write from a place of deep regret, shame and remorse,” the rapper wrote. “I am fully aware that there is no apology I can utter to ease the pain Mr Tamang’s family and friends must be going through.”

Ghets won Best Actor at Britain’s MOBO Awards in 2021 and has collaborated with artists such as Ed Sheeran and Stormzy.