As soon as considered a rising star within the jail service, Kerri Pegg now finds herself on the centre of a surprising scandal. She stands accused of bribery and facilitating large-scale drug trafficking throughout her tenure as a jail governor, allegations which have solid a darkish shadow over her once-promising profession.
The 42-year-old former governor is alleged to have shaped a relationship with a drug dealer, who, in accordance with the court docket, gifted her a £12,000 Mercedes-Benz following his launch on licence.
Who Is Kerri Pegg?
Pegg was considered as somebody with nice potential within the jail system. Officers at Preston Crown Courtroom realized that she superior swiftly in her career, shifting from a graduate trainee to a correctional facility head in simply six years.
Nevertheless, it’s alleged that Pegg ‘did not play by the principles’ and, whereas overseeing HMP Kirkham in Lancashire, started a relationship with an incarcerated individual named Anthony Saunderson. This particular person reportedly gave her the coupe automotive, which was bought with funds from unlawful substances.
Pegg ‘did not play by the principles’ and whereas governor at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire started a relationship with inmate Anthony Saunderson. pic.twitter.com/EsDNhw67zG
— 404 🚫 (@404Missing404) March 26, 2025
Throughout a police search of her residence in Orrell, Wigan, the jury was knowledgeable that investigators found a toothbrush bearing his DNA.
Why Pegg Grew to become Prone To Exploitation
As she started the case for the prosecution, Barbara-Louise Webster knowledgeable the panel of seven girls and 5 males: ‘Regardless of her success, she did not play by the principles that everyone else needed to observe. Her downfall was two-fold, the primary, regardless of having a very good revenue, she lived past her means.’
‘She spent all her revenue and extra, incurring money owed, and he or she had county court docket judgements made in opposition to her. As a consequence, she grew to become susceptible and open to exploitation,’ Saunderson added.
‘The second was that she grew to become emotionally and personally concerned with a serving prisoner, Anthony Saunderson and later accepted an costly automotive, a Mercedes C class, which was paid for by him out of his proceeds of legal exercise ie. buying and selling in medication.’
In response to BBC stories, Pegg is contesting two costs of improper conduct whereas holding a public place: first, for participating in a reference to Saunderson, and second, for not revealing county court docket rulings regarding her monetary obligations.
Moreover, she denies having property gained via criminality, particularly the Mercedes automotive she acquired from Saunderson.
Pegg’s Rise By means of The Jail System
Pegg entered the jail service in 2012 as a part of a graduate program, serving at varied services resembling Risley, Liverpool, and Styal. By April 2018, she had superior to the place of governor at HMP Kirkham, the identical establishment the place Saunderson was nearing the completion of a long run for drug-related crimes.
Nevertheless, proper from the start of her tenure on the correctional facility, worries emerged relating to Pegg’s overly acquainted interactions with incarcerated people, the jury was informed. It was noticed that she incessantly spent prolonged durations in her workplace with Saunderson, and in October 2018, he submitted an software for momentary launch.
Whereas these types of requests occur commonly, there are exact and well-defined procedures for dealing with them – protocols that Pegg disregarded, in accordance with Webster. It’s claimed that though she lacked the authority to grant the discharge, she interfered and accepted the applying with out informing the official who ought to have managed it.
She was later transferred to a special correctional facility and subsequently took on the position of responsibility governor at HMP Lancaster Farms.
Proof Of Pegg And Saunderson’s Connection
Saunderson was launched from jail in Might 2019, and by the start of 2020, he was utilizing an Encrochat encrypted cellular gadget. Organised criminal groups usually make use of these telephones to ship messages and talk discreetly.
As soon as legislation enforcement businesses efficiently accessed the encrypted system, it grew to become evident that Saunderson was engaged in in depth drug distribution. He has since been discovered responsible of those unlawful actions.
Nevertheless, the court docket was knowledgeable that different communications additionally demonstrated the ‘ongoing nature’ of his reference to Pegg.
Saunderson’s Position In Illicit Drug Distribution
On 6 April, 2020, Saunderson acquired a message by way of Encrochat that learn ‘automotive her for ya fowl 12 quid or work,’ accompanied by a picture of the black Mercedes coupe. The ’12 quid’ meant £12,000 and ‘work’ meant medication. Saunderson inquired about ‘what work they need’, and the response was ‘prime or weed’ – referring to both cocaine or hashish.
It’s claimed that two days later, Saunderson made preparations for ’17 packs’ to be delivered in Manchester as cost for the automotive. The Mercedes was then formally registered to Pegg at her residence on 11 April 2020.
Subsequently, a message despatched to Saunderson by a pal inquired: ‘The place u ya seedy man u and Peggy out floating orrel within the new whip?’ Police apprehended Pegg at her residence on 19 November 2020, the place they found pricey designer attire. Investigators additionally positioned a toothbrush and a pair of sandals at her condo.
Key Proof Introduced In Courtroom
Evaluation of each the toothbrush and the flip-flops revealed blended DNA traces, according to the DNA profiles of each Pegg and Saunderson. Moreover, confiscated paperwork indicated that Pegg had a number of county court docket rulings in opposition to her resulting from excellent money owed.
Along with her position as a jail governor, Pegg additionally holds the positions of operations director and deputy chief govt at The Brick, a homeless charity in Wigan. The authorized proceedings are ongoing.
