Imagine a promising young student's life cut short in an instant by a speeding rapper over the drink-drive limit—could fame excuse such recklessness?
British grime star Ghetts, whose real name is Justin Clarke-Samuel, just received a 12-year prison sentence for a tragic hit-and-run that claimed the life of 20-year-old Nepalese student Yubin Tamang in northeast London. Driving his BMW at excessive speeds while well over the legal alcohol limit, Clarke-Samuel struck Tamang and fled the scene without stopping or calling for help. For beginners unfamiliar with UK road laws, the drink-drive limit is typically 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood—being one-and-a-half times over means he was dangerously impaired, like trying to navigate a busy highway after several strong drinks.
In court, Clarke-Samuel pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving, as detailed in reports like this Guardian article. The heartbreak poured out from Tamang's family: his mother, Sharmila Tamang, broke down in tears, sharing, “My only son came to the UK chasing the world's top education, but one person's reckless errors stole him away too soon, right on his way home from work.” His roommate, Sushant Khadka, added in a statement, “At just 20, Yubin brimmed with dreams, ambitions, and big future plans. This tragedy didn't just end a life packed with potential—it shattered everyone around him forever.”
But here's where it gets truly shocking... During the televised sentencing at the Old Bailey, senior judge Mark Lucraft KC slammed CCTV evidence revealing a “horrifying chain of dangerous maneuvers” before the fatal crash, calling the whole sequence “utterly appalling.” Prosecutor Philip McGhee explained that on the evening of October 18, 2025, Clarke-Samuel had been boozing at Omi Lounge in central London's Wells Street (more on London incidents here). Clocked at over 70mph, he blasted through six red lights, swerved onto the wrong side of the road multiple times, hopped curbs, and even sideswiped a motorcyclist and a Mercedes, leaving damage in his wake.
Hurtling at 67mph in a 30mph zone on Redbridge Lane in Ilford around 11:33pm, he slammed into Tamang crossing the street. Instead of helping, Clarke-Samuel sped off eight miles home, never contacting emergency services. Tamang fought for life but passed away in hospital two days later. Police showed up at his door early next morning, caught the stench of booze on his breath, and spotted the wrecked black BMW.
And this is the part most people miss—his excuse raised eyebrows... Clarke-Samuel claimed paranoid fears of being tailed drove his wild driving, supposedly triggered by a past unsolved gunpoint robbery. No CCTV backed up any chase, though. His defense highlighted his history as a dad of two with 12 prior convictions across 27 offenses since age 16, including robbery and vehicle crimes. Yet the judge acknowledged his “sincere remorse” and supportive letters, like from his partner, praising how his music career positively uplifts his community—check his profile here.
A heavyweight in grime, Ghetts has teamed up with heavyweights like Skepta, Stormzy, and Ed Sheeran, rocked Glastonbury multiple times (latest in 2024), snagged Best Male Act at the 2021 MOBO Awards, and the Pioneer Award in 2024 (stage review).
Now, here's something controversial: Does celebrity status or past good deeds soften the blow of such a preventable death, or should the book be thrown harder at public figures who know better? What do you think—remorse enough for leniency, or too light a sentence? Drop your thoughts in the comments; let's debate if fame warps justice.
