Grime artist Ghetts has been jailed after admitting to inflicting the dying of 20-year-old Yubin Tamang in a high-speed crash in northeast London. The rapper, whose actual title is Justin Clarke-Samuel, pleaded responsible to inflicting dying by harmful driving following the incident in Ilford final October. The 41-year-old was driving his BMW M5 at practically 74mph in a 30mph zone when he struck Mr. Tamang as he crossed Redbridge Lane at 11:33 pm on 18 October.
Mr. Tamang, who had moved to the UK from Nepal to check and construct a greater future, died in hospital two days later from his accidents. The case has despatched shockwaves by each the music business and the broader public, not solely due to the severity of the crash, however due to what adopted.
A Evening of Reckless Selections
The courtroom heard that in October 2025, Clarke-Samuel had been socialising in central London earlier than driving recklessly by Camden, Islington, and Hackney. CCTV confirmed him driving on the unsuitable aspect of the highway and narrowly lacking a bicycle owner. Tragically, simply after 11:30 pm on… pic.twitter.com/tc2vZOTvvf
— UB1UB2 West London (Southall) (@UB1UB2) March 3, 2026
Prosecutors advised the courtroom that Clarke-Samuel had been driving at extreme velocity moments earlier than influence. CCTV footage offered in courtroom confirmed what Choose Mark Lucraft KC described as a “fairly appalling litany of incidents” main as much as the deadly collision.
The automobile hit Mr. Tamang at roughly 67mph — greater than double the authorized velocity restrict — throwing him into the air earlier than he crashed onto the highway.
As a substitute of stopping, Clarke-Samuel continued driving for round eight miles to his dwelling. The courtroom heard that after arriving dwelling, he consumed six or seven photographs of Ciroc vodka and a cannabis-infused cookie.
When police later arrested him, the BMW was discovered parked close to his dwelling with extreme harm: a smashed windscreen, heavy bonnet markings, entrance bumper destruction, and a lacking wing mirror cowl.
The choose described the occasions as “merely stunning.”
Clarke-Samuel claimed he had been driving dangerously as a result of he believed somebody was following him. Nevertheless, CCTV proof confirmed no indication of a pursuit.
Sufferer’s Household: “Our Hearts Are Damaged Past Restore”
In emotional statements learn after sentencing, Mr. Tamang’s mother and father described a grief that phrases might barely seize.
“We communicate in the present day with hearts damaged past restore,” a spokesperson stated on their behalf.
“Our solely little one, a treasured soul, has been taken from us far too quickly. He got here to the UK to check and create a greater life for himself and his household. Justin Clarke-Samuel has stolen our son’s future and ours with it.”
Mr. Tamang’s mom, Sharmila Tamang, broke down in courtroom earlier whereas describing the “excessive ache” and “unimaginable sense of loss” of dropping her solely little one.
Whereas the household acknowledged Clarke-Samuel’s responsible plea and imprisonment, they made it clear that forgiveness was not attainable.
Expression of Regret in Courtroom
Clarke-Samuel has been in custody since his preliminary look at Barkingside Magistrates’ Courtroom on 27 October.
Wearing black and sitting along with his eyes closed because the sentence was handed down, he reportedly confirmed little outward emotion within the dock.
By his defence counsel, Benjamin Aina KC, Clarke-Samuel submitted a letter expressing what was described as “excessive remorse, disgrace and regret.”
“I write from a spot of utmost remorse, disgrace, and regret,” the letter learn. “I can not categorical the large feeling of guilt and disgrace for the struggling I’ve precipitated.”
He apologised to Mr Tamang’s household, the broader group, his circle of relatives, and the courtroom, stating: “I supply no excuses, and I’ve let my household and group down.”
The choose acknowledged what he described as real regret, together with Clarke-Samuel’s group contributions and charitable work.
“Your music has supplied you with a following and a big monetary reward,” Choose Lucraft stated. “I acknowledge that you’ve used that to good impact and achieved a lot to assist many others.”
He added, nevertheless, that it was a “actual disgrace” that such work was now overshadowed by the deadly penalties of drink-driving and harmful behaviour.
Extra Collisions and Ghetts Driving Historical past
The courtroom additionally heard that earlier that very same night time, Clarke-Samuel had been concerned in one other collision with a Mercedes and had narrowly averted hitting a bicycle owner.
In December, he admitted to harmful driving offences in Tavistock Place in Bloomsbury, in addition to on roads throughout Camden, Islington, and Hackney within the lead-up to the deadly crash.
His felony historical past contains 12 earlier convictions for 27 offences relationship again to 2000, together with theft, aggravated automobile taking, and harmful driving.
Prosecutor Philip McGhee emphasised that Clarke-Samuel knew he was not match to drive and demonstrated a disregard for different highway customers throughout a number of boroughs.
Shani Taggart of the Crown Prosecution Service stated the sentence displays the implications of a “deadly determination to get behind the wheel of a automobile after consuming.”
Detective Sergeant Faye Prepare dinner, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, stated she hopes the result brings “some measure of consolation” to the Tamang household and serves as a warning concerning the devastating penalties of harmful driving.
Who Is Ghetts?
For a lot of, the title Ghetts carries weight in British music tradition.
A two-time Mercury Prize nominee, the East London rapper has collaborated with main artists together with Skepta, Stormzy, and Ed Sheeran. He has carried out a number of instances at Glastonbury Pageant, together with a 2024 look.
In 2021, he gained Finest Male Act on the MOBO Awards and acquired the MOBO Pioneer Award in 2024, recognising his contribution to UK music.
Past music, he appeared within the Netflix sci-fi drama Supacell, enjoying a gang chief named Krazy within the story of 5 South Londoners who unexpectedly develop superpowers.
For followers, collaborators, and business insiders, the sentencing marks a deeply troubling chapter in an in any other case celebrated profession.
A Life Misplaced, A Legacy Altered
Rapper Ghetts jailed for 12 years for killing scholar in hit-and-run https://t.co/uV0C6MUy5R
— BBC Breaking Information (@BBCBreaking) March 3, 2026
On the centre of this story just isn’t fame, accolades, or status — however a 20-year-old scholar who crossed the world to chase alternative and by no means made it dwelling.
Yubin Tamang’s future was filled with prospects. His mother and father’ grief is everlasting.
For Ghetts, the sentence closes a authorized chapter however leaves a private reckoning that may seemingly final far longer.
For the general public, it stands as one other painful reminder: just a few reckless choices behind the wheel can completely alter a number of lives in seconds.
Featured picture: Getty Photos
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