A convicted murderer and a second man have been arrested after allegedly absconding from an open prison on New Year’s Day, police have said.

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

Avon and Somerset police said both men had been arrested on Wednesday.

Armstrong, who was convicted of murder in Warwickshire in 2009, was arrested by police officers near Henley-in-Arden train station just before 12pm.

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

Washbourne, who has previous convictions for violence against a person and false imprisonment, was arrested in Bristol city centre at about 1.30am.

He was initially taken to hospital after officers found him with pre-existing injuries but was now in police custody, a spokesperson for the Avon and Somerset force said.

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 31 December, 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.

“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.”

Another man appeared in magistrates court on Monday, charged with absconding from the prison.

The 39-year-old, who was arrested in Bristol on Saturday, will next appear before Bristol crown court in February.

The UK government has said a review into how the men allegedly absconded from HMP Leyhill will be held.

Alex Davies-Jones, a junior minister for the Ministry of Justice, told parliament the review would be carried out within 20 days.