Man jailed after fatal collision in east London

A man has been sentenced after killing a student while driving dangerously in Ilford.

Met officers worked tirelessly to achieve justice on behalf of Yubin Tamang’s loved ones. The 20-year-old student tragically died after being hit by Justin Clarke-Samuel's car in October last year. Clarke-Samuel failed to stop at the scene but was arrested just hours after the incident following urgent enquiries by police.

At the Old Bailey today (Tuesday, 3 March), Justin Clarke-Samuel, 41 (19.10.1984) of Woodford Green, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for causing death by dangerous driving. He was also sentenced to 15 months for dangerous driving, to run concurrently.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of driving dangerously. Through investigative work, officers proved Clarke-Samuel had been driving in excess of 60 miles-per-hour when his car hit Yubin – more than double the 30 miles-per-hour speed limit.

Following the sentencing, detectives paid tribute to strength of Yubin’s parents.

Detective Sergeant Faye Cook, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Our thoughts remain with Yubin’s loved ones, especially his parents, Sharmila and Bikash, who have shown remarkable courage throughout this investigation. Their strength has inspired everyone involved in the case.

“I would like to thank the dedicated Met officers and staff who have worked tirelessly - their professionalism and determination has been unwavering.

“We hope today’s sentencing brings some measure of comfort to Yubin’s family, while also serving as a reminder to the public of the devastating consequences of dangerous driving.”

The investigation

Yubin was crossing Redbridge Lane East when Clarke-Samuel's car hit him just after 23:30hrs on Saturday, 18 October 2025. Yubin died in hospital from his injuries two days later.

Clarke-Samuel had been out with friends earlier in the evening, socialising at a bar and a restaurant. After leaving central London, he proceeded to drive recklessly through Camden, Islington and Hackney, before the collision in Ilford.

After hitting Yubin with his BMW, Clarke-Samuel failed to stop and continued to drive home at high speeds.

After emergency responders treated Yubin at the scene, officers found the casing of a car wing mirror discarded on the road. They urgently traced the serial number attached to it and linked it to Clarke-Samuel's registered vehicle.

With this, officers went to arrest him at around 03:00hrs. On arrival, they located the car parked near his home address. The vehicle displayed significant damage, including a smashed windscreen, extensive marks on the bonnet, damage to the front bumper and a missing wing mirror cover.

Following his arrest, officers worked to build a file of evidence to prove Clarke-Samuel's guilt. They trawled hours of CCTV and spoke to several witnesses, who provided vital information. This helped to build a picture of events that evening and showed Clarke-Samuel's continued disregard for the safety of others. On the night of the collision, he was seen to drive on the wrong side of the road multiple times and also narrowly avoided hitting a cyclist on one occasion.

This work culminated in Clarke-Samuel pleading guilty to the charges at the Old Bailey on Monday, 8 December 2025.

Speaking after the sentencing, Yubin Tamang’s family said: “Firstly, we would like to thank our close family, relatives and friends who have provided much-needed help, advice, and guidance during this, the most tragic time of our lives.

“Secondly, we extend our immense gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the London Metropolitan Police detectives and forensics team for their exceptional dedication and thorough investigation, and the Crown Prosecution Service for recognising the seriousness of this case and raising the charges.

“We speak today with hearts broken beyond repair. Our only child, a precious soul has been taken from us far too soon. He came to the UK to study and create a better life for himself and his family. Justin Clarke-Samuel has stolen our son’s future and ours with it.

“We are relieved that Justin Clarke-Samuel pleaded guilty and that he has now been jailed, but we can never forgive him for what he has done.”

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, Met officers thanked Autar Shreshta, a serving member of the British Army, whose support to the Tamang family as Liaison Officer and Interpreter was deemed invaluable.

Detective Sergeant Cook also highlighted the role of Detective Constable Ed Carter, who demonstrated the utmost diligence throughout the investigation.

Media are invited to download additional material from the investigation here: https://mps.box.com/s/879k7f36...