Second man charged with absconding from prison

A second man has been charged with absconding from an open prison on New Year's Day.

A search had been under way for Daniel Washbourne after he failed to return to HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire alongside fellow prisoners Matthew Armstrong and Aaron Thomas.

Washbourne, 40, who has previous convictions for violence, was arrested in Bristol on Wednesday and is due to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court later charged with escaping lawful custody.

Armstrong, 35, a convicted murderer, was arrested by Warwickshire Police on Wednesday and remains in custody while Thomas, 39, was arrested on Saturday and appeared in court charged with escaping from lawful custody on Monday.

Avon and Somerset Police said Thomas attended the Bristol Royal Infirmary before voluntarily handing himself in to police. He is next due to appear in court in February.

Armstrong was found near Henley-in-Arden railway station following a sighting by a member of the public and is being transported to the Avon and Somerset Police area.

Armstrong was also arrested on suspicion of robbery after an alleged incident in a village near Leyhill the night before he is accused of absconding.

Police said a man forced his way into a home at about 18:45 GMT on 31 December before threatening the occupants and stealing a mobile phone and cash.

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