World News

UK prison official convicted of relationship with inmate

A prison governor in the United Kingdom has been found guilty of misconduct after entering a relationship with a convicted drug dealer while running the jail where he was serving his sentence.

Kerri Pegg, 42, once hailed as a “rising star” of the Prison Service, was convicted of two counts of misconduct in public office and one count of possessing criminal property after a trial at Preston Crown Court.

The court heard that Pegg, who climbed the ranks from graduate to governor of HMP Kirkham in Lancashire within six years, began a secret relationship with Anthony Saunderson, a prominent figure in Liverpool’s drug trade.

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“She didn’t play by the rules,” jurors were told, as the court heard how she helped Saunderson secure day release and concealed the extent of their relationship from authorities.

Police discovered a toothbrush with Saunderson’s DNA in Pegg’s home in Orrell, Wigan. Prosecutors also revealed that Pegg had received a £12,000 Mercedes C-Class from Saunderson, paid for with proceeds from the sale of 34 kilos of amphetamines.

Saunderson operated under the name Jesse Pinkman, referencing the meth dealer in the popular TV series Breaking Bad, and also used the alias James Gandolfini, the actor who portrayed mob boss Tony Soprano.

Jurors were told Pegg often spent long periods in her office with Saunderson. In October 2018, she approved his request for temporary release without notifying the proper authority — a clear violation of protocol.

She showed no reaction as the verdicts were read out, standing with her head bowed.
Judge Graham Knowles KC told her: “I have no choice but to send you to prison due to the gravity of your offending.”

Though Pegg claimed her contact with Saunderson stemmed from his role in a rehabilitation programme called BADD (Beating Alcohol and Drug Dependency), the prosecution revealed he was still actively involved in drug production at the time.

Even his criminal associates reportedly complained that Saunderson was spending too much time with Pegg and neglecting both his family and criminal operations.

During her defence, Pegg tearfully said she had been “hands on” and “stupid” in her dealings with Saunderson but denied any wrongdoing. Her lawyer described her as “naive.”

Prosecutors pointed to evidence that she spent increasingly more time with Saunderson near the end of his 10-year sentence.

Flip-flops and a toothbrush belonging to him were found in her home, and financial records showed she had been buying designer items like Jimmy Choo shoes and Chanel jewellery.

Despite earning £3,000 a month, Pegg was deeply in debt. Investigators found she had maxed out four credit cards, had only 6p in her savings account, and had failed to declare three County Court judgments — a breach of rules designed to prevent corruption.

Barbara-Louise Webster, prosecuting, said: “Anthony Saunderson was her downfall.”

Tarryn McCaffrey from the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Kerri Pegg’s conduct fell far short of what might be expected from any professional within the Prison Service, let alone one of such a senior grade as prison governor.

“She was clearly involved in an inappropriate relationship with Saunderson after he was released and the evidence points to this going back further, to a time when he was in jail.

“This relationship, and the fact that Pegg failed to disclose her debts to her employers, amount to a gross breach of trust and are therefore extremely damaging to public confidence.”

A sentencing date has not yet been set.

(BBC)