Kerri Pegg, 42, once hailed as a “rising star” in the Prison Service, has seen her career crumble after being convicted for misconduct and possession of criminal property. The former governor of HMP Kirkham in Lancashire was found guilty at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday following her illicit relationship with drug gang boss Anthony Saunderson, also known as “Jesse Pinkman,” named after the character from Breaking Bad.
Pegg’s relationship with Saunderson, who was involved in large-scale drug trafficking, had been a closely guarded secret, hidden under the guise of Saunderson’s participation in the Beating Alcohol and Drug Dependency programme at the prison. Her personal connection to the inmate raised alarms among Saunderson’s own gang members, who reportedly disapproved of him spending too much time with Pegg, away from his wife and his illicit activities.
The scandal came to light when authorities found personal items belonging to Saunderson, including a toothbrush and flip-flops with his DNA, in Pegg’s apartment. These discoveries, coupled with evidence of their relationship, led to the charges against her.
One of the key pieces of evidence was a message sent to Saunderson on April 6, 2020, stating “car her for ya brid 12 quid or work,” with a photo of a £12,000 Mercedes. This car, purchased using the proceeds of Saunderson’s drug trafficking, was later gifted to Pegg. In return, Saunderson had arranged for drugs to be delivered as payment.
Prosecutor Barbara-Louise Webster outlined the two main reasons for Pegg’s downfall: her financial irresponsibility, which led her to incur significant debts, and her emotional involvement with Saunderson. This vulnerability made her susceptible to exploitation, culminating in her accepting the Mercedes and facilitating Saunderson’s temporary release, despite lacking the authority to approve such a request.
Concerns about Pegg’s conduct began during her tenure at HMP Kirkham, where staff noted her unusually close relationship with Saunderson. In 2018, she even intervened to approve Saunderson’s release on temporary license without proper authorization. Following the incident, Pegg was transferred to another prison, later becoming the duty governor at HMP Lancaster Farms.
Pegg, who denied all charges, faces sentencing at a later date. Her once-promising career has been left in ruins due to her relationship with Saunderson, marking a significant breach of trust in her position within the Prison Service.
