Female firefighter who ran over and killed great-grandfather, 88, in Cheshire despite her efforts to save him with CPR is spared jail after victim’s grieving family forgive her

• Charlotte Anderson, 35, ran down Peter Longbottom in Macclesfield in 2022
• The ‘fiercely independent’ elderly widower had been walking to a coffee shop 

A female firefighter who ran over and killed a great-grandfather in Cheshire before trying to give him CPR has been spared jail after the victim’s grieving family forgave her. 

Charlotte Anderson, 35, ran down retired businessman Peter Longbottom, 88, with her Peugeot 208 after failing to spot him crossing the street as she turned right at a road junction in February 2022.

The elderly widower – who was described by his family as ‘fiercely independent’ even while showing signs of dementia – was on his daily walk to his favourite coffee shop in Macclesfield when he was hit by the car. 

He suffered fatal injuries in the impact and died six weeks later in hospital.

Anderson has been spared jail after the victim’s grieving family said they wanted to ‘draw a line’ under the tragedy and declared: ‘We recognise accidents do happen.’ 

Firefighter Charlotte Anderson has been spared jail after knocking over Peter Longbottom in Cheshire in 2022

The 35-year-old ran down the retired businessman with her Peugeot 208 as he was crossing a junction

At Chester Crown Court, Anderson faced 12 months jail under sentencing guidelines after she admitted causing death by careless driving but she was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 12 months. 

She could now face a disciplinary investigation and potentially the loss of her job.

The accident occurred at 11.25am on February 13, 2022 at a crossroads on Hibel Road in Macclesfield at the junction with Beech Lane. 

Inquiries revealed Anderson, from Macclesfield, Cheshire used CPR techniques she learnt through her training to try and save the old man as he lay fatally injured at the road side. 

She was said to be so devastated at being shown pictures of the crash scene during police interview that officers decided against playing CCTV of the accident to her.

In a statement earlier, Mr Longbottom’s son Karl said the final few weeks of her father’s life was ‘heartbreaking to see’ – but he acknowledged there was ‘no doubt it had been an emotional time’ for Anderson too.

He added: ‘We recognise that accidents do happen. We are sure that the driver did not plan for the day to evolve as it did. We now need to be able to draw a line under this tragic event and live our lives as dad would have wanted.’

Karl said his father, who became a widower after his wife Jean died in 2013 aged 79, was a ‘fiercely independent’ man who kept very active and always wanted to help out. 

Anderson has been spared jail after the victim’s grieving family said they wanted to ‘draw a line’ under the tragedy

In mitigation, Anderson’s barrister said: ‘She is evidently a valuable member of society and a valuable member of the fire service’

The accident occurred at 11.25am on February 13, 2022 at a crossroads on Hibel Road in Macclesfield at the junction with Beech Lane. Pictured is the scene of the crash

‘He loved going out for meals with family and friends,’ he added.

‘Despite slowing down in the last couple of years and showing signs of dementia he refused to move in with family and lose his independence.

‘He was assisted with having a system in place to remember days of the week. He chose to walk to Macclesfield most days. 

‘Despite having shops close by he enjoyed the walking. In Macclesfield he visited his favourite coffee shop where he was a well-known figure.

‘He was well aware of his own mortality and refused a pacemaker. Before going to Macclesfield on the day of the accident he had noted in his diary that he had taken his tablets. His intention was to return home and continue with his life.’

Mr Longbottom had also built up a successful business and owned property, despite struggling with dyslexia. 

Lionel Cope, prosecuting, said: ‘The defendant was driving her Peugeot 208 on Beech Lane and at the time of the collision her intention was to drive right onto Hibel Road, returning home.

‘The light was green as she negotiated the junction and turned right onto Hibel Road. But almost immediately on turning right she collided with Mr Longbottom. He was a pedestrian on the carriageway crossing Hibel Road.

Anderson used CPR techniques she learnt through her training to try and save the old man

‘He had been waiting for a minute before crossing and crossed in a slow and steady manner. 

‘He had been in the carriageway for a number of seconds and had reached the middle of the carriageway at the moment he was hit.

‘Miss Anderson immediately stopped her car and ran to Mr Longbottom. She initiated CPR until he was breathing on his own. Police arrived and she was fully cooperative with officers throughout.

Mr Longbottom was taken to Salford Royal Hospital and was transferred to Macclesfield Hospital where he died on February 28.

His injuries included fractures to his pelvis, ribs, thoracic and neck vertebra, and brain damage in two places, along with other minor injuries including broken teeth. 

In a police interview Anderson answered all questions put to her. Mr Cope added: ‘She said that having seen the damage to her car that her recollection was wrong.

‘She said she could not see where he had entered from. She said she did not see him. She was aware that people crossed from that area. There were no issues with the sun. 

‘The only possible reason she could give was may be the pillar had hidden the deceased but said that she did not know. She was very distressed when shown pictures from the scene and so it was decided not to show her CCTV of the accident.’

In mitigation Anderson’s barrister David Polglase said: ‘Nothing I say is intended to minimise the tragedy of the circumstances surrounding Mr Longbottom’s death.

‘It is put very well in the victim’s personal statement and nobody would have wanted circumstances to have evolved like this.

‘It was not an unsafe driving manoeuvre per se. There was a green light in her favour, but once somebody is on the road they have priority.

Anderson was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was banned from driving for 12 months

‘There was a brief movement of being unable to see the pedestrian caused potentially by the frame in the car.’

‘She made efforts to assist Mr Longbottom. That may be because of her job but she applied CPR when not many others would have been in a position to do that.

‘There is genuine remorse in this case. She is young and well regarded. She is evidently a valuable member of society and a valuable member of the fire service with the potential to go far, not just in terms of how she can pursue a career, but evident from the way she is spoken of.

‘She is a young woman who still has a lot to offer. If my client is able to keep her job notwithstanding the finances of the vehicle and mortgages going up, she can deal with any financial impositions.’

Anderson was also ordered to pay £234 in costs and a victim surcharge. 

District Judge Jack McGarva told her: ‘I start by recognising that you have pleaded guilty at the first opportunity which is very important as that will have helped the family in reaching some closure of this terrible tragedy.

‘The deceased was an active man with plenty of life left to live and his death was caused by your momentary lapse of concentration. He was not doing anything wrong and was in the middle of the road and there to be seen.

‘But I recognise that you have to live with that fact and live with that as long as you live. You have shown genuine remorse and you were trying to offer him comfort and practical support by giving him CPR.’

He added: ‘It was not a marginal case of careless driving and the starting point for sentencing is 12 months in custody. 

‘But you have a very good driving record, you have real remorse, you have no previous convictions, and you carried out CPR. Those factors bring the matter back into the community sentence bracket.’

It is expected compensation to Mr Longbottom’s family from Anderson’s insurers will be agreed at a forthcoming county court hearing.

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