Overview
- Matthew Armstrong, a 35-year-old convicted murderer, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, with prior violent and false imprisonment convictions, left HMP Leyhill between 5pm and 8pm on January 1 and remain at large.
- Aaron Thomas, 39, was arrested in Bristol and has been charged with escaping lawful custody, with a court appearance due at Bristol Magistrates' Court today.
- Avon and Somerset Police released CCTV of the pair, circulated national wanted alerts, conducted address checks, and continue intelligence-led enquiries to trace their movements.
- Members of the public are advised not to approach the men and to call 999 with sightings, quoting reference 5226000700; Armstrong has links to Warwickshire and Washbourne to Herefordshire.
- Reporting highlights Armstrong’s history of violent incidents in custody and his recent move to an open prison, prompting scrutiny of risk assessments for category D placements.