Mother of victim describes ‘extreme pain’ and ‘unimaginable loss’ as rapper Ghetts faces jail over fatal hit-and-run
The mother of a young man killed after being hit by a car driven by rapper Ghetts has described the “extreme pain” and “unimaginable sense of loss” of losing her only child.
Yubin Tamang, 20, who had come to the UK from Nepal to study, died in hospital from his injuries two days after being struck by the musician’s BMW.
The grime artist, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, has pleaded guilty to causing Mr Tamang’s death by dangerous driving in Ilford, northeast London, last October.
He is due to be sentenced by Judge Mark Lucraft KC at the Old Bailey later on Tuesday and faces a jail term.
Breaking down in court as she delivered her witness statement via an interpreter, the victim’s mother Sharmila Tamang said: “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.”
Police said Clarke-Samuel, 41, was driving his BMW M5 at more than 60mph in a 30mph zone and hit Mr Tamang as he was crossing Redbridge Lane at 11.33pm on 18 October. He then failed to stop at the scene.
Clarke-Samuel wore black and sat in the dock without expression, speaking only to confirm his name.
He has been in custody since a preliminary appearance at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 27 October.
Yubin Tamang died after hit-and-run crash. Pic: Metropolitan Police/PA
Ghetts describes his ‘extreme regret, shame and remorse’
Speaking for the defence, Benjamin Aina KC, told the court that Clarke-Samuel had written a letter in which he expressed his remorse for his actions on that night.
Mr Aina said Clarke-Samuel wanted to apologise to “the family of Mr Tamang, the community at large, to his own family, and to the court for his actions on that Saturday night of October last year”.
He also said he acknowledged the multiple aggravating factors surrounding the case, including his erratic driving at speed, and his failure to stop at the scene of the accident or contact the emergency services.
Reading an extract from Clarke-Samuel’s letter, Mr Aina said: “I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and remorse… I cannot express the enormous feeling of guilt and shame for the suffering I have caused.”
The letter went on: “I want Mr Tamang’s family to know that I am so truly sorry. I offer no excuses, and I have let my family and community down.”
Erratic driving and an earlier collision
The court was shown CCTV footage of Clarke-Samuel driving erratically through the streets of London and showed the moment Mr Tamang was hit by the car.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee told the court Clarke-Samuel’s vehicle had catapulted Mr Tamang into the air before he crashed to the ground in the road.
Mr McGee said Mr Tamang was hit at 67mph, more than double the permitted maximum speed in that area.
The court was also told Clarke-Samuel had been involved in a collision with a Mercedes before the fatal hit-and-run.
In December, Clarke-Samuel admitted a charge of dangerous driving in Tavistock Place, in the Bloomsbury area of central London, and on other roads in Camden, Islington and Hackney ahead of the crash.
Clarke-Samuel has been disqualified from driving.
Who is Ghetts?
The rapper and songwriter, a two-time Mercury Prize nominee, has collaborated on tracks with Skepta, Stormzy and Ed Sheeran, and performed at Glastonbury multiple times, including in 2024.
He won best male act at the 2021 MOBO Awards and received the MOBO pioneer award in 2024.
He also starred as a gang leader called Krazy in the Netflix sci-fi series Supacell about five black south Londoners who unexpectedly develop superpowers.
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