Police hunt two absconding prisoners including convicted murderer
A convicted murderer is one of two prisoners on the run from police after escaping from prison on New Year’s Day.
Matthew Armstrong, who was convicted of a murder that occurred during a robbery in Warwickshire in the late 2000s, left HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire with Daniel Washbourne, who had previous convictions for violence.
Avon and Somerset Police said they were thought to have walked out of the prison between 17:00 and 20:00 GMT on January 1.
The force said they were not from the local area and had links to various parts of the country. Citizens are asked to call 999 immediately if they see them.
A third man, suspected of fleeing at the same time, was also arrested in Bristol on Saturday.
Police released CCTV footage showing what the men were wearing on New Year’s Day.
Armstrong, 35, was last seen wearing a burgundy or orange coat, gray hat, gray sweatpants with blue on the sides and black boots.
He is described as white, male, approximately 6 feet tall, with red hair and scars on his forehead.
Police said they knew he had links to Warwickshire.
Washbourne, 40, is described as white, male, approximately 6 feet tall, slim, with brown hair and clean shaven.
He was last seen wearing a cream fleece, blue sweatpants, a blue hat and black sneakers. Connections with Herefordshire are known.
Police said officers understood the man had previous convictions for violent crimes against persons and false imprisonment.
HMP Leyhill reported the fugitives to police on Thursday evening and police attended the prison at around 21:45 GMT to begin investigations.
Police said “immediate actions” had been completed, “including the distribution of the men as wanted through national police systems”.
Intelligence work to track the men’s movements is ongoing and other police forces have checked linked addresses but have been unable to find them.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “Escape is a serious offense and any prisoner who commits this offense could remain behind bars for a longer period of time.
“Police are working urgently to recapture these men and we urge anyone with information to contact police.”
