Two inmates admit absconding from open prison

Two men who sparked a manhunt when they failed to return to an open prison have admitted escaping lawful custody.

Daniel Washbourne, 40, and Aaron Thomas, 39, separately appeared at Bristol Crown Court earlier and both admitted failing to return to HMP Leyhill, in South Gloucestershire, on New Year's Day.

Washbourne, who had previous convictions for violence and was serving a life sentence, was jailed for six months which he must serve on top of his previous sentence. Thomas is set to be sentenced on Thursday.

Thomas handed himself in to police after attending Bristol Royal Infirmary on 3 January while Washbourne was arrested in Bristol city centre on 7 January.

Convicted murderer Matthew Armstrong is also alleged to have absconded alongside Thomas and Washbourne.

Armstrong was charged with escaping lawful custody as well as robbery after an alleged incident in a village near Leyhill. He is due to appear in court on 24 April.

HMP Leyhill is a low-security, category D prison. This type of facility usally has no locked cells and a focus on rehabilitation for inmates deemed trustworthy.

Prisoners often work in the community during the day and return at night as part of a resettlement programme to prepare for release.

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones said previously that the absconders were found to be missing during a routine roll-call. The three men were moved to an open prison after recommendations by the Parole Board after a risk assessment.

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