Convicted murderer and second inmate who escaped jail six days ago arrested

Armstrong, aged 35, was convicted in 2009 of a murder which occurred during a robbery in Warwickshire, police earlier said.

Washbourne, aged 40, was said to have previous convictions for offences of violence against a person and false imprisonment.

Avon and Somerset Police said Armstrong was arrested near to Henley-in-Arden train station just before midday today following a sighting reported by a member of the public.

He was arrested on suspicion of robbery in connection with an incident which occurred a day before he escaped from prison, the force added.

Police said in a statement: "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."

Washbourne was arrested at around 1.30am in Bristol city centre.

He was initially taken to hospital after police found him with "pre-existing injuries".

Both inmates are now in police custody.

Police also confirmed a third man was arrested in Bristol on January 3 and charged with escaping lawful custody.

He appeared at court on Monday and will next appear at Bristol Crown Court in February, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Government figures show 262 prisoners were released in error in the year to March 2025 – a 128 per cent increase on 115 in the previous 12 months.

Speaking in Parliament after the two inmates fled from prison, shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick accused the Government of endangering the public with its "breathtaking incompetence".

He said: "How many more mistaken releases have there been since the Justice Secretary last came clean?

“Once again the safety of the public is being compromised by the breathtaking incompetence of his department.”

Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones said Mr Jenrick was “muddying the waters to suit his own agenda” as she responded to him in the Commons.

She blamed the Conservatives for the state of the prisons system, telling MPs: “The crisis that our prisons face today was built up over 14 years and the Tories are the chief architects.

“This didn’t happen overnight. It was not inevitable. It was the choice of the party opposite, made again and again for 14 years.

“They abandoned their posts and put public safety at risk by allowing our prisons to reach bursting point.”

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