Ghetts is in prison serving a 12-year sentence for causing the death of a 20-year-old student in a fatal hit-and-run in east London in October 2025. The UK grime rapper and Netflix actor — whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel — was drunk and speeding when he struck Yubin Tamang with his BMW in Ilford. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at the Old Bailey in March 2026.
Who Is Ghetts?
Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, is a British grime rapper and actor from East London. He rose to prominence in the mid-2000s as one of the most technically gifted MCs on the UK grime scene, known for albums including Ghetto Gospel: The New Testament and Conflict of Interest. More recently, he became widely known to mainstream audiences through his role as the villain “Krazy” in the Netflix superhero drama Supacell, which was in production for a second series at the time of his sentencing.
What Happened: The Fatal Crash
On 18 October 2025, Ghetts got behind the wheel of his BMW after consuming alcohol. He drove at 60 mph through a 30 mph zone in a residential area of Ilford in north-east London. CCTV footage shown in court captured him running six consecutive red lights, veering across the central median, mounting the kerb, colliding with a motorcyclist, and damaging other vehicles before striking Yubin Tamang as Tamang crossed the road.
Yubin Tamang was a 20-year-old Nepalese university student living in London. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries two days later, on 20 October 2025. Ghetts fled the scene and failed to stop, which led to the hit-and-run charge in addition to the dangerous driving offence.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing
In December 2025, Ghetts appeared before the court and pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving and to a count of dangerous driving relating to his behaviour prior to the collision. He did not contest the evidence against him and expressed what his legal team described as “extreme regret” for his actions and their consequences.
On 3 March 2026, Judge Mark Lucraft KC sentenced Ghetts at the Old Bailey in London. He received 12 years in prison and a 17-year disqualification from driving. In sentencing, the judge highlighted the severity of the driving — including the speed, the alcohol involved, and the sheer number of dangerous manoeuvres recorded on CCTV — as factors justifying the substantial custodial term. Ghetts made a public statement expressing remorse for the loss of Yubin Tamang’s life and for the pain caused to his family.
His Career: Supacell and Music
At the time of his imprisonment, Ghetts was one of the most prominent figures in UK grime and had crossed over into acting. His role as Krazy in Supacell — a Netflix series about a group of Black Britons who develop superpowers — earned him significant critical attention. The production company confirmed that the second series of Supacell was already in production when his sentence was handed down in March 2026, raising questions about how the show would handle his absence. Ghetts had also released a string of critically acclaimed rap albums and was considered one of the genre’s most respected lyricists.
Where Is Ghetts Now?
Ghetts was remanded to begin his 12-year custodial sentence following sentencing on 3 March 2026. With time served on remand taken into account, he could be eligible for release at the halfway point of his sentence, subject to good behaviour and the Parole Board’s assessment. For information on how the release and parole process works in England and Wales, see our guide to the Parole Board UK. Those with a loved one in prison can also find guidance on booking a prison visit or sending money to a prisoner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ghetts in prison?
Ghetts is in prison for causing the death of Yubin Tamang, a 20-year-old Nepalese student, in a fatal hit-and-run in Ilford, east London on 18 October 2025. He was drunk and driving at 60 mph in a 30 mph zone when he struck and killed Tamang. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 years in prison in March 2026.
What is Ghetts real name?
Ghetts real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel. He has used the stage name Ghetts throughout his music career, which spans from the mid-2000s to the present day. He is one of the most respected grime MCs in the UK and also appeared as an actor in the Netflix series Supacell.
How long is Ghetts sentence?
Ghetts was sentenced to 12 years in prison by Judge Mark Lucraft KC at the Old Bailey on 3 March 2026. He was also given a 17-year disqualification from driving. If he serves half of his sentence and meets the criteria for release, he could potentially be released after six years, subject to Parole Board assessment.
Who did Ghetts kill?
Ghetts struck and killed Yubin Tamang, a 20-year-old university student from Nepal who was living in London. Tamang was crossing the road in Ilford, east London when Ghetts hit him with his BMW on 18 October 2025. Tamang died in hospital two days later. Ghetts fled the scene without stopping.
Was Ghetts drunk when he crashed?
Yes. Court evidence confirmed that Ghetts had consumed alcohol before getting behind the wheel of his BMW on the night of the crash. He was driving at 60 mph in a 30 mph zone, ran six red lights, and struck a motorcyclist before hitting Yubin Tamang. The judge referenced the alcohol use as an aggravating factor in the sentencing.
