The UK rap star Ghetts has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing 20-year-old Nepali student Yubin Tamang in a hit-and-run accident. Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, pleaded guilty to causing Tamang's death through reckless driving and to driving while over the legal alcohol limit in December. Today, as Reuters reports, a judge sentenced him to 12 years in prison and banned him from driving for 17 years.
Ghetts caused the fatal accident last October. According to prosecutor Philip McGhee, Ghetts hit Tamang with his BMW M5 as Tamang was crossing the street, going nearly 70 miles-per-hour in a 30 zone, and then did not stop at the scene of the accident. McGhee also said that Ghetts was running red lights and driving on the wrong side of the road before hitting Tamang, who died two days later. Ghetts' lawyer, who read an apology from the artist, claimed that Ghetts believed he was being followed after having been previously robbed at gunpoint.
Ghetts, 41, has been active in the grime world since he released his debut mixtape 2000 & Life in 2005. He has collaborated with artists like Ed Sheeran, Stormzy, Skepta, Dave, and Stefflon Don. His 2024 album On Purpose, With Purpose was nominated for the Mercury Prize, and he acted on the 2024 Netflix show Supacell.
