The Digest:
Award-winning British 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 Nepalese student Yubin Tamang in a hit-and-run collision in north-east London. The 41-year-old musician pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving after striking Tamang on Redbridge Lane East, Ilford, on October 18, 2025. The court heard Clarke-Samuel was driving his BMW M5 at over 60mph in a 30mph zone while one and a half times over the legal alcohol limit. He failed to stop at six red traffic lights, repeatedly veered onto the wrong side of the road, and had collided with a motorcyclist and Mercedes before hitting Tamang, who suffered catastrophic injuries and died in hospital two days later. Clarke-Samuel was also disqualified from driving for 17 years. The victim's family stated: "Our only child, a precious soul, has been taken from us far too soon... we can never forgive him." The rapper had 27 previous convictions from the age of 16.
Key Points
- The 12-year sentence reflects the gravity of causing death while driving drunk at excessive speed.
- The victim's family statement poignantly captures the devastating, irreversible loss of their only child.
- Clarke-Samuel's extensive criminal history (27 convictions) was considered in sentencing.
- The attempt to claim he was being followed was contradicted by CCTV evidence.
- The case highlights the tragic consequences of drunk driving and the importance of road safety.
Rapper Ghetts now faces 12 years behind bars for a fatal decision to drink and drive at double the speed limit, a sentence that brings some measure of justice for the family of Yubin Tamang, whose life was cut tragically short.
Sources: BBC News, Court Proceedings
