Convicted murderer among two inmates on run after absconding from prison on New Year’s Day
A convicted murderer is one of two inmates freed after escaping from prison on New Year’s Day, police said.
Matthew Armstrong, 35, was convicted of a murder that occurred during a robbery in Warwickshire in 2009, police said.
He and Daniel Washbourne, 40, who has previous convictions for violence against a person and false imprisonment, are believed to have left HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday.
Avon and Somerset Police have appealed for public information after a third prisoner, suspected of escaping at the same time, was arrested in Bristol in the early hours of Saturday.
“Two prisoners have escaped from HMP Leyhill and we would like to hear from anyone with information on their whereabouts,” police said.
“The pair are not originally from Avon and Somerset and have connections across the country.”
Armstrong is described as a white male, approximately 6 feet tall, with red hair and scars on his forehead.
“He was last seen wearing a maroon/orange jacket, gray hat, gray sweatpants with blue on the sides, and black boots,” police added. He is also thought to have known about “connections with Warwickshire”.
Washbourne was described as a white male, approximately five feet tall, with brown hair and clean shaven.
Police said the man was last seen wearing a cream fleece, blue tracksuit bottoms, a blue hat and black trainers and had known links to Herefordshire.
The escapees were reported by HMP Leyhill on Thursday evening and police arrived at the scene at around 9.45pm to begin their investigation.
CCTV footage was released showing the men dressing up for New Year’s Eve.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary said: “Immediate actions have already been completed, including the dispersal of the men as they are sought through national police systems.”
“Intelligence efforts to trace the men’s movements are continuing.
“Address checks were also forced and so far they have been negative.”
Police have appealed to the public not to approach anyone who recognizes any of the men; Instead they were asked to call 999 using reference number 5226000700.
