A court has heard that a prison governor engaged in a relationship with a drug dealer who supposedly gave her a £12,000 Mercedes as a gift after she illegally authorized his early release from jail. Kerri Pegg, 42, was viewed as a “rising star” within the Prison Service, swiftly advancing from a graduate entrant to the governor of HMP Kirkham in just six years. During her tenure at the Lancashire prison, it is alleged that she engaged in a relationship with inmate Anthony Saunderson, leading to the controversial early release.
Prosecution counsel Barbara-Louise Webster suggested that Pegg failed to adhere to the standards expected of her position, stating that she lived beyond her means by accumulating substantial debts. This financial vulnerability subsequently made her susceptible to exploitation, ultimately resulting in her personal entanglement with Saunderson, who later gifted her the expensive car using proceeds from criminal activities. Pegg is facing two charges of misconduct in a public office, one related to her relationship with Saunderson and the other concerning her failure to disclose her debts and possession of the Mercedes car.
Despite the routine nature of Saunderson’s request for temporary release from prison, Pegg allegedly intervened and approved his application without proper authorization, leading to her subsequent transfer to another jail. Saunderson was eventually released in May 2019 and later implicated in drug trafficking activities. Messages recovered from an encrypted mobile phone highlighted the ongoing nature of his relationship with Pegg, culminating in the exchange of drugs for the expensive vehicle. The trial is ongoing, with DNA evidence linking Pegg and Saunderson found at her residence.
In April 2020, Saunderson was involved in negotiations for the exchange of drugs for the Mercedes, indicating the deeply intertwined nature of his criminal activities and personal relationship with Pegg. The discovery of mixed DNA samples on personal items at Pegg’s home further corroborates the extent of their association. Additionally, documentation seized during her arrest revealed outstanding county court judgements against Pegg for unpaid debts, adding another layer of complexity to her legal troubles. The case continues to unfold, shedding light on the intricate dynamics between a prison official and an incarcerated individual
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