Man involved in Braemar Hill double murders to be released next week

Updated at 6.30pm: A 35-year-old man jailed 19 years ago for his involvement in the murder of two expatriate students on Braemar Hill in 1985 has received a definite term, and will be released from prison before the Mid-Autumn Festival next week, local media reported on Tuesday.

Won Sam-lung, one of the five killers involved in the horrific Braemar Hill double murders, is the first of among 25 former juvenile criminals held 'at the Chief Executive's discretion' to receive a definite term, the Apple Daily reported.

He will also be the first member of the so-called 'Braemar Hill gang' to leave prison.

In 1987, Won, then 16, who admitted his part in the murders of Island School students Kenneth McBride, 17, and Nicola Myers, 18, was jailed indefinitely 'at Her Majesty's pleasure'.

Before the handover in 1997, juvenile offenders were detained at Her Majesty's pleasure - an unspecified term. This was supposed to bring in an element of compassion because authorities were given the flexibility to release prisoners when they were deemed fit to return to society.

Won is scheduled to be released on September 29. But since that day is a public holiday, he will be released one day earlier, in time to celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival with his family, the Apple Daily reported.