Jury out in trial of governor accused of inmate fling

Kerri Pegg has been described as a "rising star" within the prison service
- Published
A jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a prison governor accused of misconduct by beginning a relationship with a drug-dealing gang boss.
Kerri Pegg, 42, was allegedly given a £12,000 Mercedes car by Anthony Saunderson, who was known to his associates by the name Jesse Pinkman, a character from the TV show Breaking Bad.
Ms Pegg had been a "rising star" in the prison service, climbing the career ladder from graduate entrant to prison governor in six years, Preston Crown Court was told.
The defendant denies two counts of misconduct in a public office, one by having a relationship with Saunderson and the second by failing to disclose county court judgments about personal debts.
While a governor at HMP Kirkham, she allegedly became too close to Saunderson, signing off his temporary release without proper authority, a court heard.
After Saunderson had served his sentence, detectives found size 10 Hugo Boss flip flops and a toothbrush, both with his DNA on, at Ms Pegg's home in Orrell, Wigan.
Ms Pegg is alleged to have been gifted the black Mercedes coupe after he paid for the vehicle using 34 kilos of amphetamines, jurors heard.
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