Murderer and second inmate are arrested after New Year’s Day jail escape
A convicted murderer and another inmate have been arrested after absconding from prison on New Year’s Day.
Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, were on the run after fleeing HMP Leyhill – an open prison for men – in Gloucestershire on January 1.
Armstrong, 35, was jailed for murdering a man in Warwickshire in 2009 while Washbourne, 40, has previous convictions for false imprisonment and violence against a person.
Armstrong was arrested near Henley-in-Arden train station by Warwickshire Police just before midday, after he was spotted by a member of the public.
Washbourne was arrested at around 1.30am in Bristol city centre. He was initially taken to hospital after officers found him with pre-existing injuries but is now in police custody.
Armstrong has also been arrested on suspicion of robbery, in connection with an incident in a village near Leyhill, which happened at around 6.45pm on New Years Eve – the night before he absconded from HMP Leyhill.
A man had forced his way into a home and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and a quantity of cash.
Matthew Armstrong was jailed for murdering a man in Warwickshire
Daniel Washbourne has previous convictions for false imprisonment and violence against a person
Avon and Somerset Police said: ‘Following this incident, we’ve carried out a number of enquiries, including interviews with the victims and house-to-house enquiries, which have led to Armstrong being arrested on suspicion of committing this offence.’
A third man, Aaron Thomas, 39, had escaped with the pair but was caught in Bristol on Saturday and hauled back into jail.
Thomas has been charged with escaping lawful custody and is due to attend Bristol Crown Court next month
The spokesman continued: ‘In addition to the arrests today, a third man was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police in Bristol on Saturday 3 January.
‘The 39-year-old has since been charged with escaping lawful custody, and he appeared at court on Monday 5 January.
‘He’ll next appear at Bristol Crown Court in February.
‘We’d like to thank the public for calling in with information and sightings in response to our appeals.’
