A convicted murderer and another man have been arrested after allegedly absconding from HMP Leyhill, an open prison in South Gloucestershire, on New Year's Day. Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, left the prison between 5pm and 8pm on 1 January, according to Avon and Somerset Police.
Armstrong, who was convicted of murder in Warwickshire in 2009, was arrested near Henley-in-Arden train station just before midday on Wednesday after a member of the public reported seeing him. He has also been arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with an incident in a village near Leyhill on 31 December, where a man forced his way into a home, threatened occupants, and stole a mobile phone and cash.
Washbourne, who has previous convictions for violence and false imprisonment, was arrested in Bristol city centre at about 1.30am on Wednesday. He was taken to hospital with pre-existing injuries but is now in police custody.
The UK government has announced a review into how the men allegedly absconded from HMP Leyhill, to be completed within 20 days, as confirmed by junior justice minister Alex Davies-Jones in Parliament.
