A former prison governor who had a relationship with a drug boss who she released from prison early has herself now been jailed for nine years.
Kerri Pegg, 42, from Up Holland in Lancashire, was convicted of misconduct in public office and possession of criminal property in a trial at Preston Crown Court on April 9.
Pegg, who was dubbed a ‘rising star’ in the prison service, was a governor at HMP Kirkham when she released major organised crime boss Anthony Saunderson early.
Saunderson, who was known amongst other criminals as ‘Jesse Pinkman’, a drug dealer character in Breaking Bad, was reaching the end of a lengthy sentence for large scale drug dealing in 2018.
Other officers noted a close relationship between Pegg and Saunderson, which eventually extended to her intervening to approve his temporary release on licence.
In mid-2019 Saunderson was released from prison and early the following year, was using an encrypted communication system called Encrochat to speak to his criminal associates.
Law enforcement agencies gained access to Encrochat and were able to see the messages which included references to ‘Kerri’ and to obtaining a Mercedes for his girlfriend.
On 6 April 2020 Saunderson was sent a message saying ‘car her (sic) for ya bird 12 quid or work’.
’12 quid’ in this criminal context means £12,000 and ‘work’ means drugs. Saunderson was then sent a picture of a black Mercedes coupe.
Kerri Pegg, 42, from Up Holland in Lancashire, was convicted of misconduct in public office and possession of criminal property in a trial at Preston Crown Court on April 9
Pegg was a governor-grade prison officer at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire in 2018 when Anthony Saunderson (pictured) was reaching the end of a lengthy sentence for large scale drug dealing
On 11 April Saunderson was joking with associates on Encrochat about driving around with ‘Peggy’ in her new car.
In late 2020, Pegg was arrested and the Mercedes was parked outside her house. She had a ‘burner’ mobile telephone used just to communicate with Saunderson and his DNA was found on footwear and a toothbrush at her home.
Investigations following her arrest also showed that she was in serious debt and had a number of county court judgements against her.
Pegg had never disclosed any relationship with Saunderson, nor the county court judgements, to her employer. The rules of her employment required her to disclose both. She has since been dismissed from her role.
Since his release, Saunderson was convicted of drugs and firearms offences and is back in prison serving a 35-year sentence.
Tarryn McCaffrey from the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘Pegg’s actions in becoming involved with a prisoner who had committed serious drug offences portrayed a total lack of integrity or judgement.
‘She displayed a shocking lack of professionalism in her role, overriding rules around Saunderson’s temporary release and ignoring her obligations to declare personal debts.
‘The evidence presented at court by the CPS, including messages and DNA evidence, proved beyond doubt the close relationship between the two.
On 6 April 2020 Saunderson was sent a message saying ‘car her (sic) for ya bird 12 quid or work’ – referring to the £12,000 Mercedes pictured above
The trial had heard Saunderson, who is now serving a 35 year sentence for subsequent drugs and firearms offences, had bought the former governor the Mercedes car which he paid for with 18 packs of amphetamines
‘The seriousness of today’s sentence reflects how damaging these actions were to the confidence of the public, who are entitled to be able to trust those who work in prisons.
‘The CPS will not hesitate to work with partners such as the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to prosecute those who commit misconduct in public office.’
He said that Pegg’s virtues were that she is ‘compassionate, selfless, dedicated, genuine, hard working and supportive’. He said she had the support of her family and her mother was in court to see her daughter sentenced.
Mr Alty said:’ These are not just adjectives. They are positive virtues.’
The court heard that Pegg had resigned from the prison service after being charged and had been working for a homeless charity.
The ‘bright, blonde and bubbly’ Pegg, originally from Stockport had been described as a ‘rising star’ after joining the service on a graduate trainee scheme from the probation service.
The trial had heard Saunderson, who is now serving a 35 year sentence for subsequent drugs and firearms offences, had bought her the Mercedes car which he paid for with 18 packs of amphetamines.
The trial had also been told that Pegg had been made a Grade Eight senior governor at Kirkham in 2018 only six years after entering the prison service.
But the prosecution said that the ‘did not play by the rules’ and began a relationship with Saunderson before signing off his early release in 2019, despite not having the authority.
Prosecutor Barbara-Louise Webster said that Pegg had a taste for expensive clothes and ‘lived beyond her means’ which made her ‘vulnerable and open to exploitation.’
Pegg also had three county court judgements against her for debts to a parking company and credit card companies.
The trial was told that Pegg had a taste for designer clothes, handbags and jewellery and had also had a breast enhancement operation while serving at HMP Liverpool.
Ms Webster had told the jury: ‘She became emotionally and personally involved with Saunderson and accepted the expensive car which was paid by him with the proceeds of criminal activity – trading in drugs.’
Saunderson was released in May 2019 and in early 2020 police intercepted messages on his EncroChat encrypted phone which showed he was involved in large scale drug dealing for which he has since been convicted. He is now serving a 35 year sentence.
Other messages showed the ‘ongoing nature’ of the relationship with Pegg, the jury was told.
In April 2020, Saunderson was sent a message saying ‘car here for ya bird. 12 quid or work’ with a photo of the Mercedes.
The car was registered to Pegg at her home address and a photo of the V5 registration document taken in her flat was found on Saunderson’s phone.
Mr Andrew Alty, defending, had told the jury that Pegg had been ‘naive, gullible and possibly stupid’ but not corrupt.
