A manhunt has been initiated following the escape of two individuals, one of whom is a convicted murderer, from an open prison facility. Avon and Somerset Police have released new CCTV footage of Matthew Armstrong, aged 35, and Daniel Washbourne, aged 40, who absconded from HMP Leyhill on New Year’s Day. The escapees reportedly left the prison between 5pm and 8pm on New Year’s Day.
Armstrong, who was involved in a murder case during a robbery in Warwickshire in the late 2000s, has connections to the area. The escape of Armstrong and Washbourne was reported by staff at HMP Leyhill, leading to officers from Avon and Somerset Police conducting investigations at the scene.
Authorities are currently examining various reported sightings of the fugitives received in recent days. Additional CCTV inquiries have been conducted to track the movements of Armstrong and Washbourne. Reports indicated that two individuals matching their descriptions were sighted in Bristol on January 4.
Police revealed that one of the men was observed walking along specific roads in Filton, sporting a burgundy coat similar to the one worn by Armstrong during his escape. Investigators suspect that the escapees might have left the Avon and Somerset area to evade capture, prompting collaboration with law enforcement agencies in other regions.
Armstrong is described as a white male, approximately 5ft 9ins tall with ginger hair and connections to Warwickshire. Washbourne, also white, stands about 5ft 6ins tall, slim-built, with brown hair, and has links to Herefordshire. Efforts including national alerts, address checks, and intelligence operations have been undertaken to trace their movements.
One individual, Aaron Thomas, aged 39, was apprehended in Bristol on January 3 and charged with escaping custody. He appeared in court on January 5 and was remanded in custody pending a future appearance at Bristol Crown Court. The police have urged the public to report any sightings of Armstrong and Washbourne and have provided contact numbers for assistance.