Rapper Ghetts admits causing death by dangerous driving

Getty Images Ghettos At The Ivor Novello Awards 2025. The Image Shows A Close-Up Of The Rapper With A Purple And White Banner In The Background. He Has Shaved Black Hair And A Short, Full Beard. — Ghetts pictured at the Ivor Novello Awards earlier this year

Award-winning rapper Ghetts has admitted killing a young man in a hit-and-run crash in north-east London.

The grime artist, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, was unable to stop after his BMW hit Nepalese student Yubin Tamang, 20, in Ilford, north-east London, on October 18.

Police said the rapper was driving more than 60 mph in a 30 mph zone and hit Mr. Tamang who was crossing the road.

Clarke-Samuel, 41, of Woodford, east London, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Tamang’s death by dangerous driving and to a second charge of dangerous driving on the same day. He also faces two further charges of driving over the legal alcohol limit and dangerous driving.

Ywaaaaaaqabaaacauwaow== | Stuff Unknown — Tamang was an only child and his parents had sent him to the UK for an education, the court heard.

Mr Tamang Of The Metropolitan Police, Dressed In A Black T-Shirt With A Faded Image On The Front, Is Standing On The Side Of A Road And Smiling. — Tamang was an only child and his parents had sent him to the UK for an education, the court heard.

The fatal collision occurred at around 23:30 BST, where Tamang was hit while crossing the road in Redbridge Lane, Ilford, north east London.

The second dangerous driving charge he admitted related to being behind the wheel of his BMW M5 on Tavistock Place and other London roads in Camden, Islington and Hackney on the same day.

Police attended the defendant’s address in Woodford early the next day.

The black BMW, registered and insured in the defendant’s name, suffered significant damage, police said.

‘Split-second decisions’

Clarke-Samuel will be sentenced on February 12, when the other two charges will also be dealt with, the court said.

The first is a charge of causing death by careless driving while over the alcohol limit. He is alleged to have exceeded the prescribed limit while driving with 119 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath on October 18.

The second, a charge of dangerous driving, relates to an allegation that he drove a BMW M5 dangerously on Worcester Crescent and other roads in Redbridge, east London, on the same day.

Met Police Mugshot Justin Clarke-Samuel. She Is Wearing A Gray Top And Looks At The Camera. — Justin Clarke-Samuel, better known as Ghetts, has been told he will expect a prison sentence.

Mr. Tamang was an only child and his parents had sent him to the United Kingdom for education.

He died in the hospital two days after being hit by a car.

Clarke-Samuel, who appeared via video link from Pentonville Prison, is currently in custody and was told by the judge to expect a jail term, the length of which is yet to be determined.

He was also disqualified from driving, but the length of the ban has not yet been decided.

Ghetts is a Mercury Prize-nominated grime MC, rapper and songwriter who has had high-profile musical collaborations with major artists such as Stormzy, Ed Sheeran and Skepta.

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

She also performed at Glastonbury several times, including 2024.

After the hearing, Detective Inspector Mark Braithwaite of the Met said: “Split-second decisions behind the wheel can have devastating and life-changing consequences.”

He added: “Our thoughts and solidarity are with Yubin’s family.

“While nothing can repair their loss, today’s two guilty pleas mark a step toward justice.

“We hope this brings you some comfort.”