A convicted murderer and another inmate who are accused of absconding from an open prison on New Year’s Day have been arrested.
Matthew Armstrong, 35, who was jailed for life for murder in 2009, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, who has previous convictions for violence, allegedly both failed to return to HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire on 1 January.
Armstrong was arrested near Henley-in-Arden train station, Warwickshire, at 12:00 GMT. Washbourne was arrested in Bristol city centre at 13:30. Both were detained on suspicion of escaping lawful custody.
Armstrong was also arrested on suspicion of robbery, after an incident in a village near Leyhill the night before he is accused of absconding.
A man had forced his way into a home on 31 December at about 18:45 GMT and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and a quantity of cash, Avon and Somerset Police said.
Following the incident, officers interviewed the victims and neighbours, which led to Armstrong being arrested in relation to the offence.
A third man accused of absconding from HMP Leyhill at the same time was arrested in Bristol on 3 January.
He will next appear at Bristol Crown Court in February.
