Two inmates who absconded from HMP Leyhill, an open prison in South Gloucestershire, on New Year’s Day have been apprehended after nearly a week on the run.
Matthew Armstrong, 35, convicted of murder in Warwickshire in the late 2000s, was arrested near Henley-in-Arden train station by Warwickshire police just before noon. His capture came after a member of the public spotted him and alerted authorities.
Danial Washbourne, 40, was detained in Bristol city centre around 1:30 pm. Police found him with pre-existing injuries and took him initially to hospital before placing him in custody alongside Armstrong.
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Armstrong is also under suspicion for a robbery that took place on December 31 in a village near Leyhill. The incident involved a man forcibly entering a home, threatening its occupants, and stealing a mobile phone along with cash. Following extensive investigations, including victim interviews and door-to-door inquiries, Armstrong was arrested in connection with this crime.
In addition to Armstrong and Washbourne’s arrests, Avon and Somerset Police apprehended a third man in Bristol on January 3. The 39-year-old has been charged with escaping lawful custody and appeared in court on January 5. He is scheduled to appear again at Bristol Crown Court in February.
An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson expressed gratitude toward the public for their assistance, saying, “We’d like to thank the public for calling in with information and sightings in response to our appeals.”