Widow of Elgin bus driver fears teen killer will 'come after her'

EXCLUSIVE

An Elgin mum says she is worried for her safety now her husband's teen killer has been released.

Bus driver Keith Rollinson was attacked at the town's bus station in February 2024.

The 58-year-old later died in Dr Gray's Hospital.

His attacker, who was 15 at the time, has recently been released from detention on license, just over two years into a four year and four month sentence.

Sue Rollinson feels this decision doesn't provide justice for Keith and has been a vocal critic of the Scottish Government's approach to the justice system.

'That isn't justice' - Sue Rollinson

The teenager who attacked Keith was initially charged with murder, but later admitted to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

The attacker, who we cannot name for legal reasons, was placed into secure accommodation.

He was sentenced in November 2024, with his sentence backdated to just after the incident took place.

It's understood the teenager spent time at a secure unit which highlights a number of facilities on its website including a large outdoor sports pitch, swimming pool, and fitness suite.

Mrs Rollinson explained to us how she reacted when she discovered the teenager had been released after she was notified parole was granted.

She said: "When I first found out he was out I was out myself and I was looking at the young ones thinking 'is that him', I've obviously got to get over that. 

"I can't live like that. 

"Because I've been so vocal about it, trying to change things, I was worried would he come after me? 

"Or find out where I live and make my life hell. 

"So it is a worry."

Sue also says she wasn't informed of certain parole conditions, which she feels would be integral to her safety.

She added: "We're not allowed to know which is all wrong. 

"We should know where he is and what supervision he is under, but they obviously don't think it's important for the victims to know these things.

"He took a life, he's ripped a family's life apart and he's been away for two years and three months, that isn't justice. 

"Keith was an honest, hard-working citizen.

"He served 22 years in the Air Force, he was a good man and that's the justice he gets for losing his life."

Scottish Government response

In response, the Scottish Government have referred to a recent meeting Sue had with Scotland's previous Justice Secretary Angela Constance.

A spokesperson said: "The Justice Secretary expressed her sympathy to Mrs Rollinson when they met recently.

"While it would be inappropriate to comment on individual cases, sentencing is always a matter for the independent courts and decisions about parole are a matter for the independent Parole Board for Scotland."