Ghetts charged with death by dangerous driving after hit-and-run
The rapper's initial indictment changed after a 20-year-old man died in hospital.
By Nick Reilly
Ghetts has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal crash in east London.
The acclaimed rapper, real name Justin Clarke-Samuel, is accused of failing to stop after he hit 20-year-old student Yubin Tamang in Ilford on Saturday, October 18, Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday.
The rapper was initially charged with serious injury by dangerous driving, but the indictment was changed after Mr Tamang died in hospital last Monday (October 20).
Ghetts was remanded in custody after the incident and appeared in court today wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit. He spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, and address, and was remanded in custody.
Mr Tamang was said to be a “good student” at the University of Roehampton, Metro reports, and tributes have been paid by his family.
His father shared a series of pictures of the 20-year-old growing up in Nepal and wrote: “My little world, all I have left is tears in my hands.”
His sister Manita Rai also posted an TikTok which said: “Please [get] justice for my brother. We miss you.”
Ghetts will next appear in court at the Old Bailey on November 24. Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash to come forward.
The rapper, who lives in Woodford Green, is considered to be one of the pioneering voices of grime and became a prominent star within the genre when it emerged in East London in the early 2000s. He has received two Mercury Prize nominations for 2021’s Conflict of Interest and 2024’s On Purpose, with Purpose, and also appeared as a major villain in Netflix superhero series Supacell.