A MURDERER who absconded from jail on New Year’s Day has a long history of violence including towards prison staff.
Matthew Armstrong attacked a prison officer by kicking and punching them in head and was a vital part of a mutiny in which 13 men launched pool balls at staff.
The 35-year-old was moved to low-security HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire a few weeks prior to his escape on January 1, sometime between 5pm and 8pm.
Armstrong was convicted in the late 2000s of a murder that occurred during a robbery in Warwickshire.
He hit 54-year-old grandfather Paul Smith over the head with a brick and was handed a life sentence, with a minimum of 19 years.
Since he was imprisoned in 2008, Armstrong has committed a numerous violent offences .
Whilst at HMP Hewell, he had a big hand in orchestrating a seven hour riot which saw pool balls and chairs thrown at staff.
For his role, he was handed a six and a half year sentence, running alongside his life sentence.
In 2016, Armstrong attacked a prison officer at HMP Long Lartin by kicking and punching him in the head.
The prisoner said he wanted to “teach prison officers a lesson”.
The prison officer was so traumatised by the attack he left his job and Armstrong was handed another three-year sentence, bringing his total convictions to 29.
In despite of his violent history, including an arson offence at a young offenders institute, Armstrong was transferred to a lower security prison by recommendation of the Parole Board.
Avon and Somerset Police said the prisoner walked out with two others, one was recaptured but the second, Daniel Washbourne, 40, is still on the run.
The local force said they have taken urgent actions to find the two men including intelligence work, address checks and circulating them via national police systems.
Armstrong is described as white, about 5ft 9ins with ginger hair and scars on his forehead.
He was last seen in a burgundy and orange coat, grey cap, grey tracksuit bottoms with blue on the side and black boots.
Washbourne, who has previous convictions for violence and false imprisonment, has been described as white, about 5ft 6ins, slim, with brown hair and clean shaven.
He was last seen wearing a cream fleece, blue tracksuit bottoms, blue hat and black trainers
Cops warned members of the public who may spot the prisoners to stay away from them and call 999 right away.
The pair are not originally from Avon and Somerset and have links to various parts of the country.
Armstrong is one of at least five prisoners known to have escaped from the category D prison since October.
On December 10 a member of a Limerick burglary gang, Darren O’Halloran walked out of the prison. He was two years into his 12 year sentence.
Convicted burglar, Adam Crawford absconded in October. This comes despite a 2023 review of Leyhill which found that security at the prison was proportionate.
Due to overcrowding, the rules for who can be moved to open prisons have been relaxed.
In June last year the government allowed prisoners three years away from finishing their sentence to be transferred, previously it was just one year.
Prisoners serving long sentences for violent offence, such as Armstrong, would still not be allowed to move unless they had recommendation from the Parole Board as he did.
A risk assessment would then have been carried out which evaluates the risk of the inmate absconding and the danger they pose to society.
Armstrong’s life sentence suggests he would not have been eligible for release until the end of next year, this does not include the additional sentences for offences in custody.
The Parole Board told The Times a hearing concerning Armstrong took place in September but declined to comment further.
A spokesperson added that panels weigh up “a huge range of evidence” before giving recommendations.
Avon and Somerset Police added: “If you see either of the men, pictured, please immediately call 999 and quote reference number 5226000700.
“Alternatively, if you have information that may assist our enquiries, please call 101.”
