Prison governor jailed for relationship with inmate

A prison governor who had a relationship with a drug-dealing gang boss has been jailed for nine years.

Kerri Pegg, 42, was seen as a "rising star" of the Prison Service, climbing the career ladder from graduate to governor at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire in six years.

But her trial heard she "didn't play by the rules" and began a relationship with major Liverpool crime figure Anthony Saunderson, helping him secure day release.

Sentencing her at Preston Crown Court, Judge Graham Knowles KC told her: "You betrayed the public trust in you and you betrayed the Prison Service."

He continued: "It was shocking and unconscionable that you should have had that relationship.

"You knew how you should and should not act. You had training and support. You were warned and you were challenged.

"The boundaries were clear and explicit and you knew you were crossing them."

Pegg, from Up Holland in Lancashire, was convicted of misconduct in public office and possession of criminal property following a trial at the same court in April.

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