In a tragic culmination of reckless driving and poor judgement, acclaimed rapper Ghetts, born Justin Clarke-Samuel, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison following the death of 20-year-old university student Yubin Tamang in a hit-and-run incident in Ilford, north-east London. The sentencing took place at the Old Bailey, where it was revealed that Clarke-Samuel, under the influence of alcohol, was driving at more than double the speed limit when he struck Tamang on the evening of 18 October 2025.
A Reckless Evening
The court was presented with a chilling account of the events leading up to the tragic collision. Clarke-Samuel, who was found to be one and a half times over the legal alcohol limit, had been drinking prior to the incident. Prosecutor Philip McGhee detailed how, on his way home, the rapper ignored six red traffic lights, swerved onto the wrong side of the road, and collided with multiple vehicles, demonstrating a complete disregard for public safety.
As Tamang attempted to cross Redbridge Lane East, he was violently thrown into the air upon impact with Clarke-Samuel’s speeding BMW M5, suffering catastrophic injuries that would ultimately claim his life just two days later in hospital.
The Aftermath and the Family’s Heartbreak
The repercussions of that fateful night were felt deeply by Tamang’s family, who issued a heart-wrenching statement expressing their profound grief. “We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair,” they lamented. “Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon. Justin Clarke-Samuel has stolen our son’s future and ours with it… we can never forgive him for what he has done.”
Despite Clarke-Samuel’s claims that he believed he was being followed, the evidence presented in court contradicted this assertion. CCTV footage captured his erratic driving and ultimately the moment of the collision, leaving little room for doubt regarding his culpability.
Justice Served
In addition to his prison sentence, Clarke-Samuel has been banned from driving for 17 years. Judge Mark Lucraft KC described the series of reckless incidents leading up to the collision as a “quite appalling litany” of dangerous behaviour, underscoring the seriousness of Clarke-Samuel’s actions that night.
During the proceedings, Clarke-Samuel expressed his remorse in a letter read to the court, where he conveyed feelings of “extreme regret, shame and remorse” for the pain caused to Tamang’s family. However, this expression of sorrow seemed little consolation for a family shattered by loss.
Shani Taggart from the Crown Prosecution Service remarked on the severity of the case, emphasising that Clarke-Samuel was fully aware of his inability to drive safely. “Today’s sentence will see Clarke-Samuel face the consequences of his fatal decision to get behind the wheel of a car after drinking,” she stated, offering condolences to the family who now must navigate life without their son.
Why it Matters
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the real consequences that arise from reckless behaviour behind the wheel, particularly when substances like alcohol impair judgement. The loss of Yubin Tamang not only highlights the urgency of addressing dangerous driving but also raises questions about accountability within the celebrity culture that often seems detached from the realities faced by everyday citizens. The pain inflicted on Tamang’s family echoes far beyond the courtroom, urging society to reflect on the importance of safety and responsibility on the roads.
