Rapper and actor Ghetts is facing two further charges after being accused of killing a 20-year-old student in a hit-and-run last month.
The Netflix star is accused of killing Yubin Tamang in a collision on 18 October. Real name Justin Clarke-Samuel, the 41-year-old star allegedly failed to stop after his BMW hit the young man at around 11:33pm in Ilford. Tamang then died on 20 October.
Ghetts is, of course, well known for his music, having worked with the likes of Stormzy and Skepta and picked up MOBO Awards. And last year, he co-starred as Craig/‘Krazy’ in the superhero drama series Supacell.
He is currently being held in Pentonville prison in London, where he appeared via video link at the Old Bailey yesterday (24 November) wearing a plain, grey short-sleeved T-shirt.
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Ghetts was initially charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving when he first appeared in Stratford Magistrates’ Court on 20 October. Tamang’s passing, however, changed the indictment, and he was charged with causing the man’s death by dangerous driving.
And in an update, the ‘Skengman’ rapper now faces two further charges of dangerous driving before and after that crash.
It is alleged that Ghetts was driving dangerously in Tavistock Place and other roads in the Camden area, north London.
After the collision involving Tamang, it is claimed that the actor then continued to drive dangerously in Worcester Crescent, Redbridge, on his journey back home to King’s Avenue, Woodford, east London.
Early that next day, police attended Ghetts' address.
Allegedly registered and insured in his name, the black BMW involved was said to have been significantly damaged.
When he appeared at the Old Bailey by video link on Monday, he spoke to confirm his name. Members of Tamang’s family had travelled from Nepal and were watching in court.
Adjourning the case, Judge Nigel Lickley KC told Ghetts: “I’m not going to ask you to enter your pleas today, but I will require you to enter your pleas on December 8, that is the next hearing.”
The judge also added that the rapper could appear in court by video link again next time, as he remanded him in custody.
Tamang was an only child and had been sent to the UK by his parents in order to receive an education.
Writing in a tribute, his dad wrote: “My little world, all I have left is tears in my hands.”
His sister, Manita Rai, wrote on TikTok: "Please get justice for my brother. We miss you.”
Jess Battison