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Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Daily Record
Young dad pulled Stanley knife on pal after claiming mum's parcel stolen
"You picked up a knife. There was some incident which your mother was not able to see. She could only listen to the sound of screaming, because she fled upstairs." A young dad who reportedly accused a friend of stealing a parcel from his mum pulled a Stanley knife on him during a frenzied confrontation. Adam Mercer invited friends to mum Deborah McDowell's house despite a court order from October 2023 preventing him from contacting her or entering her street. But the Liverpool Echo reports she was left cowering in fear and calling 999 after the incident which has led the dad-of-one back to jail. On Wednesday, Liverpool Crown Court heard Ms McDowell was on a shopping trip on April 8 and returned to her Bootle home to find Mercer, 31, with an unnamed "associate" in her living room. Jonathan Keane, prosecuting, told the court the mum asked why he was there to which Mercer replied "don't get the police". Half an hour later he left the house, only to return with a third male shortly afterwards before becoming "animated and aggressive" in the kitchen after claiming "a parcel belonging to his mother had been taken". As Mercer wielded a Stanley knife his "frightened" mum called the police from her bedroom, and could then hear "shouting and screaming" from downstairs. When Mercer learned she had called emergency services he fled and discarded the weapon in the street before being arrested. The repeat offender has a 42 previous convictions for 72 offences, including six previous breaches of the same restraining order. He also has a previous appearance for possession of a bladed article in a public place in 2010. Jeremy Rawson, defending, told the court: "He looks to his mother for support. Regrettably, he also uses drugs. Clearly, these particular factors, put together, make his conduct unpleasant and, at times, intolerable. "His mother says that, if he has assistance, then he could be rehabilitated. That is not going to happen without some input from him. "He is not taking drugs. He has turned his back on that. He has got a job work in prison radio and has shown a certain skill working in that. That is something he could perhaps establish a career in. "He is remorseful. He regrets what has taken place. He is anxious, once he is released, to set himself right. He has one child from a previous relationship. "He does not have contact with her, but he would like to in the future. He is making some positive steps to try and find some occupation that will keep him away from drugs." Mercer, on a video link from HMP Liverpool, admitted making threats with a bladed article in a private place, possession of a bladed article in a public place and breaching a restraining order. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Judge Robert Trevor-Jones jailed him for 14 months, with a new three-year restraining order. Sentencing, he said: "As far as she was concerned, and she has got every right to be suspicious, you had the appearance of all being intoxicated by drugs. Some dispute arose between you and one or another of the associates you were with. "You picked up a knife. There was some incident which your mother was not able to see. She could only listen to the sound of screaming, because she fled upstairs, frightened, and called the police. "Your mother has urged an element of leniency on your behalf, pointing out that your Achilles heel is drug abuse and that if that were cured you could be an entirely proper person. "This is now the seventh time that you have been back before the court for breaching the current order. It is a none ending pattern of breaching court orders in one form or another."
The Independent
01-04-2025
- The Independent
‘Hands-on' prison governor denies wrongdoing with convict
A prison governor accused of being in a relationship with a drug-dealer gang boss said she has always been a 'hands-on' person, but denied any wrongdoing. Kerri Pegg, 42, described in court as 'petite, blonde and bubbly', was allegedly gifted a £12,000 Mercedes car by Anthony Saunderson, who used the name Jesse Pinkman, a meth dealer in the hit TV show Breaking Bad, during secret communications with other criminals. 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. But while a governor at HMP Kirkham, she allegedly became too close to Saunderson, signing off his temporary release without proper authority, it is alleged. After Saunderson had served his sentence, detectives found size 10 Hugo Boss flip flops and a toothbrush, both with his DNA on, at Pegg's home in Orrell, Wigan. Pegg is alleged to have been gifted the black Mercedes coupe after he paid for the vehicle using 34 kilos of amphetamines, jurors heard. 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. She also denies one count of possessing criminal property, the Mercedes car, from Saunderson. Giving evidence from the witness box in her own defence, 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 a poverty and homeless charity in Wigan, called The Brick, 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 the main governor Robert Durgan, after the Prison Service found out she had three County Court Judgment's (CCJ) against her, which is against the rules for staff as it may make them vulnerable to financial inducements. 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 CCJ's and this amounted to misconduct in a public office. 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. 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'. 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.' 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 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 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, the court heard. 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 Pegg, it is alleged. Pegg was arrested at her home on February 11, 2021, and later charged. The trial was adjourned until Wednesday morning.
Telegraph
01-04-2025
- Telegraph
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.
The Independent
21-02-2025
- The Independent
Boyfriend of murder victim jailed for drug offences
The boyfriend of a woman who was killed in a shooting has been jailed for five years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Ashley Dale, 28, was killed when a gunman forced his way into her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, in August 2022 following a feud between her attackers and her boyfriend Lee Harrison, 27. On Friday, Liverpool Crown Court heard Harrison had been jointly in control of a line supplying crack cocaine and heroin in October and November last year. He and co-accused Terence Rice were stopped in a BMW X3 after travelling into Liverpool through the Wallasey tunnel on November 25, the court heard. Holly Menary, prosecuting, said: 'Lee Harrison was observed to be very agitated and nervous when stopped.' She said Harrison, in the passenger seat, was holding an iPhone but refused to provide police with the PIN. Ms Menary said a Nokia mobile phone found in the car was used for a drugs line which had sold class A drugs on at least 247 occasions, with a street value of up to £22,230, during October and November. Officers searched Harrison's address on Liverpool Road, Huyton, which he shared with his mother Sharon, and found cocaine with a value of up to £11,900 as well as adulterant for cocaine, scales and small plastic bags. He admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to supply at a hearing in December. Stephen McNally, defending Harrison, said: 'This offending came on the back of a difficult period in his life for reasons which he does not wish me to ventilate in open court, which I stress he does not claim excuse any of his offending. 'He suffered a significant bereavement in his life. Following that he lost his employment, lost his home, returned to living with his mother and had to claim benefits to make ends meet.' He said Harrison had sought a 'quick fix' for his financial situation. He added: 'He was a foot soldier who was required to get his hands dirty.' Sentencing Harrison, the judge said: 'This is serious offending, not least because class A drugs, particularly, destroy people's lives and you were making a commercial business out of destroying people's lives. 'These drugs break up families, corrode society, they very adversely affect people's mental health and wellbeing, and you were making a trade out of that misery.' Harrison, appearing by videolink from HMP Liverpool, showed no reaction to the sentence. A trial in 2023 heard he had been 'totally unco-operative' with police following his partner's murder. Ms Dale, an environmental health worker for Knowsley Council, was shot by gunman James Witham, 42, who opened fire with a Skorpion submachine gun in her home in the early hours of August 21 2022. Witham and three other men – Niall Barry, 28, Sean Zeisz, 29, and Joseph Peers, 30 – were convicted of her murder last year and all sentenced to minimum terms of more than 40 years. Their trial heard a feud between Barry and Harrison, which started years before over the theft of drugs, was 'reignited' at the Glastonbury festival in June 2022. Voicenotes and messages sent to friends by Ms Dale in the two months before her death were played during the trial describing the fall-out. Ms Dale's mother Julie Dale previously described Harrison as 'absolutely despicable'. Speaking after the murder trial, she said: 'We've had no remorse from him. We've had no support from him. We have no admittance that it's anything to do with him. 'He still carries on going about his life, leaving the country, going on holidays, lording it up, shall we say, like nothing's happened and nothing's changed for him, and it's absolutely disgusting, it really is.' Harrison's co-accused, Rice, of Bearwood Road, Kirkby, was sentenced to five years and two months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, as well as offences of affray, drug and drink-driving and obstructing a police officer relating to an incident in Cumbria last June.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Boyfriend of murder victim jailed for drug offences
The boyfriend of a woman who was killed in a shooting has been jailed for five years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Ashley Dale, 28, was killed when a gunman forced his way into her home in Old Swan, Liverpool, in August 2022 following a feud between her attackers and her boyfriend Lee Harrison, 27. On Friday, Liverpool Crown Court heard Harrison had been jointly in control of a line supplying crack cocaine and heroin in October and November last year. He and co-accused Terence Rice were stopped in a BMW X3 after travelling into Liverpool through the Wallasey tunnel on November 25, the court heard. Holly Menary, prosecuting, said: 'Lee Harrison was observed to be very agitated and nervous when stopped.' She said Harrison, in the passenger seat, was holding an iPhone but refused to provide police with the PIN. Ms Menary said a Nokia mobile phone found in the car was used for a drugs line which had sold class A drugs on at least 247 occasions, with a street value of up to £22,230, during October and November. Officers searched Harrison's address on Liverpool Road, Huyton, which he shared with his mother Sharon, and found cocaine with a value of up to £11,900 as well as adulterant for cocaine, scales and small plastic bags. He admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possessing cocaine with intent to supply at a hearing in December. Stephen McNally, defending Harrison, said: 'This offending came on the back of a difficult period in his life for reasons which he does not wish me to ventilate in open court, which I stress he does not claim excuse any of his offending. 'He suffered a significant bereavement in his life. Following that he lost his employment, lost his home, returned to living with his mother and had to claim benefits to make ends meet.' He said Harrison had sought a 'quick fix' for his financial situation. He added: 'He was a foot soldier who was required to get his hands dirty.' Sentencing Harrison, the judge said: 'This is serious offending, not least because class A drugs, particularly, destroy people's lives and you were making a commercial business out of destroying people's lives. 'These drugs break up families, corrode society, they very adversely affect people's mental health and wellbeing, and you were making a trade out of that misery.' Harrison, appearing by videolink from HMP Liverpool, showed no reaction to the sentence. A trial in 2023 heard he had been 'totally unco-operative' with police following his partner's murder. Ms Dale, an environmental health worker for Knowsley Council, was shot by gunman James Witham, 42, who opened fire with a Skorpion submachine gun in her home in the early hours of August 21 2022. Witham and three other men – Niall Barry, 28, Sean Zeisz, 29, and Joseph Peers, 30 – were convicted of her murder last year and all sentenced to minimum terms of more than 40 years. Their trial heard a feud between Barry and Harrison, which started years before over the theft of drugs, was 'reignited' at the Glastonbury festival in June 2022. Voicenotes and messages sent to friends by Ms Dale in the two months before her death were played during the trial describing the fall-out. Ms Dale's mother Julie Dale previously described Harrison as 'absolutely despicable'. Speaking after the murder trial, she said: 'We've had no remorse from him. We've had no support from him. We have no admittance that it's anything to do with him. 'He still carries on going about his life, leaving the country, going on holidays, lording it up, shall we say, like nothing's happened and nothing's changed for him, and it's absolutely disgusting, it really is.' Harrison's co-accused, Rice, of Bearwood Road, Kirkby, was sentenced to five years and two months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin, as well as offences of affray, drug and drink-driving and obstructing a police officer relating to an incident in Cumbria last June.
