Police are urgently hunting two convicted violent criminals who absconded from a South Gloucestershire prison and have been captured on CCTV in Bristol. Matthew Armstrong, 35, and Daniel Washbourne, 40, fled from HMP Leyhill, a category D men's prison, on New Year's Day.
CCTV Sightings Place Fugitives in Bristol
Detectives are reviewing several reported sightings of the pair, with CCTV providing crucial leads. Two men matching their descriptions were pictured on Ashley Road in Bristol at about 10.35am on Saturday, January 3, walking towards the Stokes Croft area.
A further sighting occurred the following day, Sunday. At approximately 9.35-9.45am, a man was captured on CCTV walking along Filton Road and Gloucester Road North in Filton, Bristol. He was seen stopping to look at bus timetables. The man is wearing a burgundy coat matching the one Armstrong wore when he left prison. Police believe he continued along the same road and was seen in the Patchway area between 11.05am and 11.15am.
Dangerous Histories and Police Appeal
Matthew Armstrong was convicted in the late 2000s of a murder committed during a robbery in Warwickshire. He is described as white, about 5ft 9ins tall, with ginger hair and scars on his forehead.
Daniel Washbourne has previous convictions for violence against a person and false imprisonment. He is described as white, about 5ft 6ins tall, slim, with brown hair and clean-shaven, with known links to Herefordshire.
Avon and Somerset Police stated that urgent actions were taken on New Year's Day, including circulating the men as wanted on national systems. A spokesperson said: "While we continue to keep an open mind, we believe there is a distinct possibility that they will have sought to travel outside of our force area to try to avoid detection."
Public Warning and Ongoing Investigation
The force has issued a stark warning to the public. Anyone who sees either man should not approach them but instead call 999 immediately, quoting reference number 5226000700. Information can also be reported via 101.
Police confirmed that a third man, aged 39, was arrested in Bristol on Saturday and has been charged with escaping lawful custody. He appeared in court on Monday, January 5.
Detectives are following other lines of enquiry but cannot provide details that might hinder the investigation. Efforts have also been made to inform the victims and families of the absconders' previous offences sensitively.
The police expressed gratitude for information received so far and continue to appeal for help in tracing Armstrong and Washbourne.
