Linner Sang Murder: Kenyan Man Receives 18-Year Jail Term for Killing Ex-Partner in Reading

A Kenyan man has been sentenced to 18 years and eight months in prison in the United Kingdom after admitting to murdering his former partner in Reading.

Edwine Kiplangat, 29, received the sentence at Reading Crown Court after pleading guilty to one count of murder and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The victim, 39-year-old Linner Sang, was fatally stabbed on 7 September 2025 at a property on London Road in Reading, where the couple had previously lived together.

Police were called to the address shortly after 2.30pm and found Sang dead at the scene. Kiplangat was arrested the following day and charged two days later.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutors said the killing was planned and followed a pattern of threats and controlling behaviour. 

The court heard evidence including text messages in which Kiplangat threatened Sang, along with covert recordings he had made during their relationship. The defence argued that the attack had not been planned and asked the court to treat it as a crime of passion. The judge rejected that argument, finding that Kiplangat had expected Sang to return to collect her belongings and had armed himself with a knife before she arrived.

The judge ruled that the murder was premeditated, increasing the starting point for sentencing from the statutory 15 years to 22 years. Kiplangat's guilty plea reduced the sentence to 18 years and eight months.

The court also ordered that Kiplangat be deported to Kenya after completing his prison sentence. Detective Chief Inspector Stuart May, who led the investigation, said the evidence showed that Kiplangat had planned the killing. He said Kiplangat carried out the attack before attempting to flee, showing no regard for the injuries he had inflicted on Sang.

Thames Valley Police said specialist officers continue to support Sang's family and asked that their privacy be respected. The force also highlighted measures available to help protect people from domestic abuse, including Clare's Law, which allows individuals to request information about a partner's history of abusive behaviour, and Raneem's Law, a pilot scheme that places domestic abuse specialists within police contact centres.