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Murderer and fellow inmate who absconded are caught

Clara BullockBristol
News imageAvon and Somerset Police On left of split picture, Matthew Armstrong is looking at the camera, wearing glasses. He is balding, and has a faint, stubbly beard. He is wearing a coat. On the right, Daniel Washbourne is looking at the camera with a stubbly moustache.Avon and Somerset Police
Murderer Matthew Armstrong (L) and Daniel Washbourne absconded from prison on New Year's Day

A convicted murderer and another inmate who absconded from an open prison on New Year's Day have been arrested, police say.

Matthew Armstrong, 35, who was jailed for life for murder in 2009, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, who has previous convictions for violence, both failed to return to HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire.

Armstrong was found near Henley-in-Arden railway station, Warwickshire, at 12:00 GMT, following a sighting from a member of the public. Washbourne was located in Bristol city centre at 13:30. Both were arrested on suspicion of escaping lawful custody.

Armstrong was also arrested on suspicion of robbery, after an incident in a village near Leyhill the night before he absconded.

A man had forced his way into a home on 31 December at about 18:45 GMT and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and a quantity of cash, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Following the incident, officers interviewed the victims and neighbours, which led to Armstrong being arrested in relation to the offence.

A third man accused of absconding from HMP Leyhill at the same time was arrested in Bristol on 3 January.

He will next appear at Bristol Crown Court in February.