Murderer who absconded from jail on New Year’s Day arrested after week-long manhunt | EUROtoday

A convicted assassin and a second prisoner who absconded from jail on New Year’s Day have been arrested, police have mentioned.

Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, left HMP Leyhill, South Gloucestershire, between 5pm and 8pm on 1 January.

Avon and Somerset Police mentioned each Armstrong and Washbourne had been arrested on Wednesday.

Armstrong, who was convicted of murdering somebody throughout a theft in Warwickshire in 2009, was arrested by Warwickshire Police officers close to Henley-in-Arden prepare station simply earlier than 12pm.

A member of the general public had reported seeing Armstrong, who’s now in police custody.

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Washbourne, who has earlier convictions for violence in opposition to an individual and false imprisonment, was arrested in Bristol metropolis centre at about 1.30am.

He was initially taken to hospital after officers discovered him with pre-existing accidents however can also be now in police custody, a police spokesperson mentioned.

The spokesperson added: “Armstrong has also been arrested on suspicion of robbery, in connection with an incident in a village near Leyhill, which happened at around 6.45pm on Wednesday December 31, the night before he absconded from HMP Leyhill.

“A man had forced his way into a home and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and a quantity of cash.

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“Following this incident, we’ve carried out a number of inquiries, including interviews with the victims and house-to-house inquiries, which have led to Armstrong being arrested on suspicion of committing this offence.”

A 3rd man, Aaron Thomas, 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. He appeared earlier than the magistrates on Monday 5 January and is ready to subsequent seem at Bristol Crown Court in February.