I'm a hands-on boss, says prison governor ‘who had affair with drug dealer'
Giving evidence from the witness box in her own defence, Ms Pegg said she joined the Prison Service after working for the Probation Service for eight years, because she liked working with people and wanted to 'make a difference'.
She told jurors she currently works for The Brick, a poverty and homeless charity in Wigan, who she had told about her court case and some people from the charity were attending court.
While working at HMP Liverpool in March 2018, she told the jury she was called to a meeting with Robert Durgan, the main governor, after the Prison Service found out she had three CCJs against her, which is against the rules for staff as it may make them vulnerable to financial inducements.
Ms Pegg said she did not realise that not declaring or having a CCJ was breaking the rules.
She said: 'I was mortified, I was embarrassed, I started crying. But he was really supportive and kind.'
Andrew Alty, defending, asked if Mr Durgan told her she should have reported her CCJs and this amounted to misconduct in a public office.
Ms Pegg replied: 'No. He said they were now 'known'. Declared. And there was no further disciplinary action to take. He just gave me advice.'
The defendant said staff at HMP Liverpool were also aware she had had a breast enhancement procedure, and was put on restricted duties for a time to recover.
Ms Pegg said when she moved to HMP Kirkham in April 2018 as a governor, where Saunderson was coming to the end of a 10-year sentence for drugs offences, there were 'cultural issues'.
'Open-door policy'
Ms Pegg said her 'style' was always to have and 'open-door policy' and lots of contact with prisoners in the jail.
'I have always been a hands-on person, hands-on manager, I like contact with people,' she said. 'They really seemed to appreciate it, they really appreciated someone willing to listen to them. They felt they had been ignored by other staff.'
Ms Pegg admitted that she had signed off on Release on Temporary Licence (ROTL) form, for Saunderson in October 2018, which should only have been signed off by another official, the acting duty governor.
But Ms Pegg said she had done this before if paperwork was late and it was not unusual.
Mr Alty continued: 'Did you sign that ROTL because of some form of special relationship with Anthony Saunderson?'
'No,' replied Ms Pegg.
Earlier the trial heard Saunderson was released from prison in May 2019, and in early 2020 was using an Encrochat encrypted mobile phone, used by serious, organised criminals to send messages and secretly communicate.
When the system was cracked by law enforcement agencies it showed Saunderson went by the handle or pseudonym of Jesse Pinkman and was involved in massive drug trafficking. He has since been convicted for those offences.
Other messages on the phone also revealed the 'ongoing nature' of his relationship with Ms Pegg, it is alleged.
Ms Pegg was arrested at her home on February 11, 2021, and later charged.
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