Sentence of Violent Offender Extended for Strangling Cellmate
Vitale Tanga, a 41-year-old originally from Moldova and currently without a fixed address, has had his prison sentence increased by five years after the Solicitor General referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. Tanga had previously been convicted for the murder of his cellmate, Tajinder Kular, and this extension keeps him behind bars for longer.
The Case of Tajinder Kular
In September 2022, Tanga was involved in the brutal strangulation of Kular using a kettle cord. Following the incident, Kular was found unresponsive by prison officers and subsequently taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to complications from the injuries sustained, including cardiac arrest due to ligature strangulation. A postmortem examination revealed ligature marks on his neck, facial bruising, and multiple broken bones in his neck.
Previous Offences and Sentencing
At the time of Kular’s murder, Tanga was already in custody awaiting trial for a prior assault, as well as being investigated for the unrelated homicide of Alfred Mattox in 2021. Initially, Tanga was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 25 years for Mattox’s murder. Following his trial for Kular’s murder on 3 July 2025, his sentence was extended to life with a minimum term of 27 years and six months, to run concurrently with the previous sentence.
Response from Authorities
Solicitor General Ellie Reeves MP commented on the court’s ruling, stating, “Vitale Tanga is a violent man who murdered two men in brutal attacks. He has not taken any responsibility for his actions, and I welcome the court’s decision to extend his sentence after he killed his cellmate. This keeps this dangerous offender off our streets and our communities safe.”
Current Status
On 25 November 2025, the Court of Appeal officially increased Tanga’s sentence by five years, bringing the total minimum term to 32 years and six months. Tanga’s multiple convictions highlight serious concerns about violent offenders and their impact on societal safety.
Background
The systematic handling of violent crime remains a pressing issue in the UK, with various campaigns aimed at keeping dangerous offenders incarcerated longer to protect communities. Tanga’s case serves as an example of the legal mechanisms available for reviewing sentences perceived as lenient.
Source: official statements, news agencies, and public reports.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/sentence-increased-for-prisoner-who-killed-his-cellmate
