Prisoner serving 23-year sentence for attempted murder on the run from Cheshire prison

Published 1 day ago
Source: metro.co.uk
PICTURED Kieran Cameron Officers from Cheshire Police are appealing to the public for help to trace a man who has absconded from HMP Thorn Cross. Kieran Cameron was reported missing from Warrington prison at 9.20pm on Tuesday 6 January 2026. The 43-year-old is currently serving a 23-year-prison sentence for an attempted murder in Dorset in 2016. Cameron is described as white, around 5? 6? tall, of medium build, with heavily receding hair and a ginger and grey beard.
Kieran Cameron was reported missing from HMP Thorn Cross in Warrington, Cheshire on Tuesday (Picture: Cheshire Police)

A prisoner serving a 23-year sentence for attempted murder is on the run from an open prison in Cheshire.

Kieran Cameron, 43, was reported missing from HMP Thorn Cross in Warrington, Cheshire at 8.20pm on Tuesday.

He is described as white, about 5ft 6in tall, of medium build, with heavily receding hair and a ginger and grey beard.

Cheshire Police said he is known to have extensive links to Manchester, Liverpool and Dorset.

He is currently serving a 23-year prison sentence for attempted murder in Dorset in 2016.

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DCI Nick Henderson, of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit at Cheshire Police, said: ‘We are appealing for the help of the public to trace Kieran Cameron, who is unlawfully at large after leaving HMP Thorn Cross in Warrington.

‘If you see him, do not approach him, call 999 immediately.

‘If you have any information as to where Cameron may be, please call 101 or visit http://www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML 2247029.’

It came after a convicted murderer who failed to return to prison on New Year’s Day was finally caught by police.

Convicted murderer Matthew Armstrong. // A murderer remains at large after absconding from prison on New Year's Day - despite the arrest of an inmate last night. Avon and Somerset Police are still searching for convicted murderer Matthew Armstrong and violent offender Daniel Washbourne after they absconded from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire. Officers have successfully arrested a third inmate Aaron Thomas on Saturday (03/01) who is also believed to have escaped prison. Thomas, 39, has been charged with escaping from lawful custody and is set to appear at Bristol Magistrate's tomorrow (05/01). Armstrong and Washbourne are understood to have left HMP Leyhill, in South Gloucestershire, between 5pm and 8pm, on New Year's Day. HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire reported the absconders to police on that evening, with police releasing CCTV footage of the two men leaving the jail. Police said anyone who sees these men should call 999 right away. Photo released 04/01/2026 Photo released 07/01/2026
Police finally caught up to convicted murderer Matthew Armstrong after he absconded from HMP Leyhill(Picture: Avon and Somerset Police)

Matthew Armstrong, jailed for life in 2009, absconded from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire.

He was arrested near Henley-in-Arden train station by Warwickshire Police at midday on Wednesday following a sighting reported by a passerby.

Armstrong had fled with violent criminal Daniel Washbourne, 40, who was also arrested at around 1.30am today in Bristol city centre.

Washbourne was initially taken to hospital after officers found him with pre-existing injuries but he is now in police custody.  

The pair left HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire some time between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday, January 1.

Daniel Washbourne. Matthew Armstrong and Daniel Washbourne are understood to have left the prison, in South Gloucestershire, at some time between 5-8pm on Thursday 1 January (Picture: Avon and Somerset Police)
Daniel Washbourne is understood to have left the prison, in South Gloucestershire, at some time between 5-8pm on Thursday 1 January (Picture: Avon and Somerset Police)

Armstrong was convicted in the late 2000s of a murder that occurred during a robbery in Warwickshire. 

Armstrong was also arrested on suspicion of robbery, in connection with a a village burglary near Leyhill, which happened at around 6.45pm on New Year’s Eve the night before he absconded from HMP Leyhill.  

In the burglary a suspect had forced his way into a home and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and cash. 

We are continuing to appeal for information from the public relating to the whereabouts of two men who absconded from HMP Leyhill on New Year?s Day. Detectives are reviewing a number of reported sightings received over recent days, and further CCTV enquiries have been completed to help us build up an understanding of the movements of Matthew Armstrong and Daniel Washbourne:
CCTV of the movements of Matthew Armstrong and Daniel Washbourne
(Picture: Avon and Somerset Police)

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: ‘Following this incident, we’ve carried out a number of enquiries, including interviews with the victims and house-to-house enquiries, which have led to Armstrong being arrested on suspicion of committing this offence.’

The force added a third man was arrested by Avon and Somerset Police in Bristol on Saturday 3 January.

The 39-year-old has since been charged with escaping lawful custody, and he appeared at court on Monday 5 January. 

He will next appear at Bristol Crown Court in February. 

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