(Picture: Avon and Somerset Police)
A convicted murderer who failed to return to prison on New Year’s Day has been caught by 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.
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The pair left HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire some time between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday, January 1.
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.
(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.
