Two individuals, a murderer and a violent offender, were apprehended following their escape from an open prison on New Year’s Day. Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, were captured today after fleeing from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire between 5pm and 8pm on January 1. Armstrong, convicted in 2009 for a murder committed during a robbery in Warwickshire, was seized near Henley-in-Arden train station in Warwickshire shortly before midday following a tip-off from a member of the public.
Washbourne, with prior convictions for violent crimes and false imprisonment, was arrested in Bristol city center around 1.30am. Upon discovery with pre-existing injuries, officers initially took him to the hospital, but he is now in police custody, as confirmed by Avon and Somerset Police.
Armstrong was further detained on suspicion of robbery related to an incident near Leyhill on the evening of December 31, the night before his escape from HMP Leyhill. The force stated that a man had forcibly entered a residence, threatened the occupants, and stole a mobile phone along with cash. Subsequent investigations and inquiries led to Armstrong’s arrest in connection with this offense.
A third individual, aged 39, who absconded alongside the pair, was arrested in Bristol on Saturday. After being charged with absconding, he appeared before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Monday and is scheduled for a court appearance at Bristol Crown Court in February.
In response to the escape incident, Alex Davies-Jones MP, a junior minister at the Ministry of Justice, announced that a review of HMP Leyhill will be conducted within 20 days. During the search for Armstrong and Washbourne, Avon and Somerset Police released CCTV images of the duo. A police spokesperson mentioned that urgent measures were taken, including broadcasting the men as wanted via national police systems on New Year’s Day, conducting address checks, and intelligence operations to track their potential movements.
Efforts were made in collaboration with other forces to inform the victims and families of the absconders’ past offenses in a sensitive manner.