The 41-year-old appeared at the Old Bailey, where he admitted to causing death by dangerous driving and an additional charge of dangerous driving before the fatal collision. In addition to the prison term, he has been banned from driving for 17 years.
Fatal crash in October 2025
The incident occurred on the night of October 18, 2025, in Ilford, east London. Clarke-Samuel was driving his BMW M5 at speeds between 60 mph and 74 mph in a 30 mph residential zone.
The victim, Yubin Tamang, a 20-year-old student from Nepal, was crossing Redbridge Lane East when he was struck by the car. He suffered catastrophic injuries and died in hospital two days later.
Prosecutors said Clarke-Samuel had consumed alcohol and was about 1.5 times over the legal drink-drive limit.
Dangerous driving captured on CCTV
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, CCTV footage showed Clarke-Samuel driving across central London at excessive speed, running six red lights, mounting a curb, and colliding with a motorcyclist and another vehicle before hitting Tamang.
After the collision, he did not stop or call emergency services. Instead, he drove about eight miles to his home in Woodford, where police arrested him roughly four hours later.
Judge Mark Lucraft described the driving as “a quite appalling litany of incidents” and said the behaviour behind the wheel was “simply shocking.”
Clarke-Samuel pleaded guilty to the charges on December 8, 2025.
Defense argument rejected
During the hearing, his lawyer Ben Aina argued that Clarke-Samuel believed he was being followed by another vehicle and that his driving was influenced by lingering fear from a 2017 armed robbery in which he had been held at gunpoint.
However, prosecutors said there was no evidence on CCTV showing that any vehicle was pursuing him at the time.
Family’s grief and anger
In emotional statements read to the court, Tamang’s parents described the devastating impact of losing their only child.
His mother, Sharmila Tamang, said her son had travelled to the UK to pursue his education but lost his life because of someone else’s actions.
In a joint statement, his parents said Clarke-Samuel had “stolen our son’s future and ours with it.” They said they were relieved that he had been jailed but could not forgive him.
Tamang’s roommate, Sushant Khadka, told the court the student had been ambitious and full of plans for his future, adding that his death had permanently affected everyone who knew him.
Career impact
Clarke-Samuel is best known for playing the antagonist Krazy in the Netflix series Supacell, a show about ordinary Londoners who suddenly develop superpowers. The series became a global hit after its release in 2024.
Season 2 of Supacell had begun filming shortly before the crash, but reports indicate Clarke-Samuel will not return to the show following the conviction.
Beyond acting, Ghetts is one of the most influential artists in UK grime music, with multiple albums and singles released over more than two decades.
Defendant expresses remorse
In a letter read in court, Clarke-Samuel said he felt “extreme regret, shame and remorse” for the tragedy.
“I am fully aware that there are no number of apologies that can soothe the pain that the family and friends of Mr Tamang must feel,” the letter said.
Despite the apology, Tamang’s family told the court their loss is irreparable and that they will continue to live with the consequences of the crash every day.
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