The father of a Nepalese student who was allegedly killed in a hit-and-run crash involving award-winning rapper Ghetts has said that “all I have left is tears in my hands”.
Yubin Tamang was killed after the grime artist allegedly failed to stop after his BMW struck the 20-year-old on Redbridge Lane in Ilford at around 11.33pm on Saturday, October 18, Barkingside Magistrates Court heard.
Mr Tamang’s family and friends have described their heartbreak following his death and calling for justice.
The student’s father posted pictures of Mr Tamang on social media of his upbringing in Nepal.
“My little word, all I have left is tears in my hands,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, Mr Tamang’s sister Manita Rai posted further pictures of the student on Tiktok and wrote: “Please get justice for my brother. We miss you.”
In a further post, Ms Rai wrote “how cruel is fate to take you away at such a young age” before describing how her brother was the “bright light” at her parents’ house.
David, Mr Tamang’s housemate, where he was living in east London, also described how he was left speechless following his death.
He told the Metro: “He was my brother. I can barely speak. I am so upset. He was a good person, a very good person.”
Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, appeared at Barkingside Magistrates Court on Monday wearing a grey prison-issue tracksuit.
He had initially been charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving but the indictment was changed after Mr Tamang died on October 20, two days after the alleged crash.
The young man was an only child and his parents had sent him to the UK to receive an education, the prosecution said.
Meanwhile, the black BMW, allegedly registered and insured in the defendant’s name, was significantly damaged, prosecutor Varinder Hayre added.
The musician spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address and was remanded in custody.
He will next appear in court at the Old Bailey on November 24.
The rapper and songwriter 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.
