Rapper Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing the death of 20-year-old student Yubin Tamang in a hit-and-run collision in northeast London. The sentencing, handed down at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, follows Clarke-Samuel’s admission of causing death by dangerous driving. This case highlights the devastating consequences of reckless driving and has prompted an outpouring of grief from the victim’s family and the wider community.
The incident occurred on October 18, 2025, around 11:30 pm on Redbridge Lane East in Ilford. According to court documents and reporting from the BBC, Clarke-Samuel was driving his BMW M5 at a speed exceeding 74 mph in a 30 mph zone when he struck Tamang, a university student from Nepal, as he was crossing the road. Instead of stopping to assist, Clarke-Samuel continued driving for approximately eight miles before returning home. Evidence presented in court revealed he then consumed six or seven shots of Ciroc vodka and a “cannabis cookie.”
The aftermath of the collision was swift and tragic. Yubin Tamang sustained “catastrophic injuries” and died two days later in hospital. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of reckless behavior leading up to the fatal impact. Prosecutors detailed how Clarke-Samuel ran six red lights, collided with another car, and narrowly avoided hitting a cyclist before striking Tamang. He was arrested several hours later, and his vehicle was found with significant damage, including a smashed windscreen and a missing wing mirror cover.
Erratic Driving and Alcohol Consumption
The court heard detailed accounts of Clarke-Samuel’s driving that evening. Prosecutor Philip McGhee described the rapper’s actions as a “quite appalling litany of incidents” captured on CCTV footage. The BBC reported that Clarke-Samuel was one and a half times over the legal alcohol limit at the time of the crash. The footage showed him repeatedly veering onto the wrong side of the road and mounting the kerb. This reckless behavior culminated in the tragic collision with Tamang, who was simply crossing the street.
Victim’s Family Shares Heartbreak
The impact of Tamang’s death resonated deeply with his family, particularly his mother, who delivered a poignant statement to the Old Bailey. According to reporting from Sky News, she described the “extreme pain” and “unimaginable sense of loss” felt by the family. “My son had dreamed of further education and had come to the UK,” she shared through an interpreter. “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.” Her statement underscored the profound loss of potential and the devastating consequences of Clarke-Samuel’s actions.
Remorse Expressed, But Justice Served
During the sentencing, Clarke-Samuel’s attorney, Benjamin Aina KC, presented a letter expressing the rapper’s remorse. The letter, as reported by NME, contained an apology to Tamang’s family, the community, his own family, and the court. “I write from a place of extreme regret, shame and remorse… express the enormous feeling of guilt and shame for the suffering I have caused,” Clarke-Samuel wrote. “I want Mr Tamang’s family to grasp that I am so truly sorry. I offer no excuses, and I have let my family and community down.” Despite this expression of regret, Judge Mark Lucraft KC imposed the 12-year prison sentence and disqualified Clarke-Samuel from driving for 17 years.
GHETTS’ REAL NAME, CLARKE-SAMUEL, HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN JAIL FOR CAUSING DEATH BY DANGEROUS DRIVING 🚨
Prosecutors say he was 1.5x over the legal drink-drive limit, ran 6 red lights, hit two vehicles and reached speeds of up to 70mph in a 30 zone before the fatal… pic.twitter.com/fWhycl121V
— 🇯🇲 TMC Music Connoisseur // SKATPACK (B4M) (@MusicConnoisseu) March 3, 2026
A Career Interrupted
Clarke-Samuel, known professionally as Ghetts, had achieved significant recognition in the UK music scene. He was nominated for the Mercury Prize in both 2021 for his album ‘Conflict Of Interest’ and in 2024 for ‘On Purpose With Purpose’, and won the Best Male Act at the MOBO Awards in 2021. He was also honored with the MOBO Pioneer Award in 2024 for his contributions to British black culture. Beyond music, he had recently taken on an acting role in the Netflix series Supacell. Yet, this promising career has been overshadowed by the tragic consequences of his actions on October 18th.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the importance of responsible road use. The 12-year sentence reflects the severity of the offense and the immeasurable loss suffered by the Tamang family. While Clarke-Samuel will begin serving his sentence immediately, the pain and grief felt by those affected by this tragedy will undoubtedly endure.
The next step in this case will be a review of the sentencing guidelines, as is standard procedure following a case of this magnitude. No further court dates have been announced at this time.
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