Widow of bus driver killed by drunk teen 'devastated' at possible early release

The widow of an Elgin bus driver who died after being attacked by a 15-year-old boy has said she is “devastated” by the prospect of him being released early.

The youth was sentenced to four years and four months’ detention for the culpable homicide of Keith Rollinson last year.

Mr Rollinson, 58, lost his life after the teen attacked him at the Elgin bus station in February 2024.

The 15-year-old was out drinking with friends in the town’s centre before deciding to catch a bus home, but Mr Rollinson refused to let him on the bus because of his state of intoxication.

The teenager, who cannot be identified because of his age, headbutted former RAF man Mr Rollinson before repeatedly punching him on the head and body.

The youth pointed his mobile phone at the driver’s face, apparently filming him.

Father-of-two Mr Rollinson grabbed the phone and they began struggling. He then threw the phone to the ground and stamped on it before his attacker completely lost control during the violent episode.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the victim did not retaliate but tried to get away while the attacker was pulled away by another youth.

The Stagecoach driver bent over to pick up his cap and collapsed to the ground unconscious.

He was taken to hospital but never regained consciousness and died in the early hours of February 3, 2024.

It was found that because of his medical condition, the bus driver was at risk of a fatal cardiac event at any time.

‘It’s not long enough when they’ve taken a life’

Sue Rollinson told STV News she has been informed in a letter from the Victim Notification Scheme that her husband’s attacker could be released after serving two years and ten months.

She said: “I was devastated to think he’s going to be out. I don’t think four years and four months is long enough when they’ve taken a life.

“Now it’s been reduced a lot. Two years and ten months is no length of time for taking a life.”

She is now calling for the scrapping of new guidelines, which mean rehabilitation and shorter sentences are prioritised when under-25s are sentenced in Scottish courts.

“They do know what they’re doing. They know fine well, they’re adults at 25”, she added.

She is now seeking a face-to-face meeting with the First Minister and wants other victims’ families to band together to push for change to the ruling.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Keith Rollinson who have lost a loved one in horrific circumstances.

“Sentencing in any given case is always a matter for the independent courts, and the Scottish Government has no role in approving sentencing guidelines.

“Parole decisions are a matter for the independent Parole Board for Scotland, and are based on a clear risk assessment of any individuals being managed safely in the community.”

Teen’s appeal rejected

Lady Hood said she would have sentenced the teenager to six and a half years, but reduced it to four years and four months following his guilty plea.

The youth, now 16, who previously assaulted another bus driver, was granted leave to appeal against the sentence imposed on him.

But Lord Matthews, who heard an appeal with Lord Beckett earlier this year, rejected the submission that the sentence imposed on the teenager was excessive following a hearing at the Criminal Appeal Court in Edinburgh.

Lord Matthews said in a judgment: “There has been no miscarriage of justice and the appeal is refused.”

He said they had viewed CCTV footage and added: “It is plain that the appellant, who was by all accounts intoxicated, would not take no for an answer.”

“While the deceased Mr Rollinson grabbed his mobile phone and stamped on it, that provides no excuse or justification for the gross overreaction on the part of the appellant.”

Lord Matthews said: “The court must endeavour to protect people who provide a service to the public and can be in a vulnerable position.

“It is of significance that this is not the first time the appellant had assaulted a bus driver. Such conduct must be deterred.”