TWO men whom police appealed for help in catching after they went on the run from an open prison on New Year’s Day were found and arrested on Wednesday (January 7).

One of the pair, Matthew Armstrong, aged 35, is a convicted murderer.

Armstrong, who was caught by Warwickshire police near Henley-in-Arden train station, was also arrested on suspicion of robbery.

The robbery happened in a village near HMP Leyhill, when a man forced his way into a home and threatened the occupants before stealing a mobile phone and a quantity of cash the evening before Armstrong absconded from the prison.

Armstrong was apprehended following a sighting reported by a member of the public and was placed in police custody.

Separately, Daniel Washbourne, aged 40, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in Bristol city centre.

Washbourne was taken to hospital after officers found him with pre-existing injuries, but was then transferred into police custody.

A third man, aged 39, who absconded at the same time had been caught in Bristol on January 3.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the public for calling in with information and sightings in response to our appeals.”